Western Hobbyist vs. Asian Hobbyist

[hardric]

Hi everybody,

I been reading forums based in Singapore and forums based in America and I noticed some differences between the people who keep fish.
I sense Western hobbyists seem to emphasis a lot of giving the fish lots of space, cannot overstock etc. But you find that hobbyists based in Asia tend to overstock their tanks. Of course I don't mean that people overstock until th fish can't survive. But defintely, the stocking level is different.

I give you two examples. In forums based in America, I read people advising that you should only put 4 Angelfish in a 55 gallon but I have read forums based in Singapore that say you can put 6 in a 2 foot tank (15 gallons). I have also read people in America stating that bettas need to be put in at least a 5 gallon tank, but in Asia, you can see people putting it in small containers (probably only 1-2 gallons).

I always wonder why? Are Asians more "cruel" to overstock? Or we are crazy enough to do more water changes? Obviously it must be a cultural thing. But why?

Last point, these are general observations. Of course there are people in America/Europe with heavily stocked tanks and people in Asia who give their fish large spaces.

[dkk08]

I would seriously think that it's more of a cultural thing. For example recently on a local marine forum, a foreigner compared how they would not take out a fish just to take photo and how Asians tends to do that and it sort of hit a raw nerve and sparked a heated debated... It's just like how we Asians likes to eat the innards of animals/fish but Foreigners especially Americans shun them...

[eviltrain]

another important factor is, westerner have more land then we do. XD

[sen_jie]

Westerner live in big house and can afford the space. whereas in places such as HK and Singapore, we live in small small space thus maximising space is very important.

I think they will find it funny how we stack our tanks up just like HDB.

[Shadow]

I think westerner have more passionate toward one thing, they are more focus. They will stick to it until they expert on it. Asia on the other hand, just follow the trend, switching form apisto, shrimps, planted, pleco, etc at fast rate.

I shouldn't say Asia, too generalize because I see Japanese also have the same passion as westerner.

[Leon]

maybe we have the buy first then think attitude... after which got 'stuck' then try to sell off...
while i was studying there in a city of 250,000... there is only ONE fish/pet shop... selection is quite limited... maybe from the way it is... people tends to be more focus on what they wanna keep!!!
mimicking a natural habitat... creating a Home!!! such fun... such effort!!!
moreover from this shop... snakes.. spiders... lizards... more than fishes!!! even have a LION!!!
but different people different ideas... thats HUMAN!!!

[barmby]

More passionate toward one thing, they are more focus. They will stick to it until they expert on it. Asia on the other hand, just follow the trend, switching form apisto, shrimps, planted, pleco, etc at fast rate.

Checked!

Western hobbyists seem to emphasis a lot of giving the fish lots of space, cannot overstock etc.

Checked!


Think I am more westernized than most people in Asian market

My main has gone through two MH bulb changes. Come December will be my 4th sets. And I change MH bulb every 2 years.

2010-2011 ADA
2008-2009 Osram
2006-2007 Osram

[Surfari'sAquariumSupplies]

I guess one can easily tell from any Youtube video whether or not the aquarium is from Western countries or Singapore. Its quite easy to differentiate, US aquariums will surely have gravel, plants, be it real or plastic, some rocks, and the filtration systems will either be a Hang On Back Filter or Canister. Whereas Singaporean aquariums will mostly be bare, without gravel, with one coloured Oyama pasted on the back or sides, and one would usually see a sump overflow unit at one corner of the tank or an IOS/IOUS unit at the side of the tank. OHFs, be it stackable or non-stackable, will also be seen very frequently in Singaporean aquariums, as it is not sold in Western countries. Singaporean aquariums will feature more of Arowanas, Parrot Cichlids, Peacock Basses, Blue/Red Hooks, Rays, Bichirs, whereas Western aquariums will feature Oscars, South American/African Cichlids, Pacus, Piranhas etc.

Also Westerners usually give comments to Singaporean' s aquariums, such as putting gravel instead of leaving the bottom bare, putting more rocks or driftwood, or refrain from overcrowding and such. They have their own ways of fishkeeping and keeping their fish happy, and we have ours.

[y26tan18]

yes westeners seems very particular about tank size. They're always making noise about the tanks being way too small, even though the tank looks fine to me -.='''
Whereas we Asians are more particular about the filtration...

[Jon-san]

It's simply a cultural difference? We asians tend to pack more people into homes too! Space is a premium! That's not to say that we don't care any less for our fishes. Which is why I noticed most serious hobbyists invest the most amount of money into better filtration systems/media, because we are "overstocking" our tanks.

[hardric]

After reading all your opinions, something struck me. I think it's not so much a cultural thing but a space thing. Many Asians (especially s'poreans, Hong kong people & Japanese) stay in big crowded cities. Many Europeans & Americans stay in more spacious areas. Of course the people staying in London, Paris, New York etc also stay in equally cramped conditions. It would be interesting to see if these people's fish tanks are more stocked than than their friends who stay in large roomy places like Texas or California.

[1112]

if given asian ( affortable on this Hobby) enough piece of land, they will start a aquatic zoo.

if given westerner a few hours, they will sit down and read; for asian, change water

[Cheesetian]

Personally i feel they are more for animal rights, cruelty and all that while Asians in general are fine with keeping big fishes in small spaces.

It's the way they're brought up as well. There is so much less censorship there than here. So they are exposed to more people fighting for animal rights and all that sort of thing while here we're more conserved.

[stormhawk]

I believe it is more to do with mindset. What seems normal to us, might seem strange to them, and vice versa.

Perhaps the only difference I can think of is that Europeans, in particular, are very interested in knowing scientific details for the fish they are keeping. Among Asians, the usual idea is whether this fish can mix with this, or how much it cost, or whether it will be "swee" or not. For example as stated previously in this thread, the Japanese are very close in their ideas to westerners because they follow the same train of thought.

Yet in many cases, Asians have proven that they can raise fishes just as well as any westerner can, without all the fancy whistles and bells. Short of the random argument that occurs because of cultural misunderstanding, I can safely and proudly say, that the locals are good fish keepers at heart. They may not be well-versed in the fancy terms but they sure keep and breed their fish to the best of their ability.

[dnsfpl]

you should have read the marine forum

no 6 foot no tang

[stormhawk]

The poison is strong but I must resist.

[Shadow]

Perhaps the only difference I can think of is that Europeans, in particular, are very interested in knowing scientific details for the fish they are keeping. Among Asians, the usual idea is whether this fish can mix with this, or how much it cost, or whether it will be "swee" or not. For example as stated previously in this thread, the Japanese are very close in their ideas to westerners because they follow the same train of thought.

Second that, I was trying to give scientific info recently and the reply was "lets stop before become lame"

It is really different because I also moderator at Aquascaping World forum which majority of the member are westerner. Over there when I answer question, must get ready to back it up with more info because someone will asked for it and not necessary the thread starter.

[stormhawk]

As usual, the westerners are more particular about information and facts, and will try very hard to disprove one's theories and such. So sometimes it becomes a combative issue between fellow hobbyists, instead of a peaceful discussion and not about who is right or wrong, or who is more "pro" than the other.

Asians however, are more "chin chye" so they don't bother much about such things. The usual things Asians will argue about - cost, color, body form or quality or a combination of all factors. The fact that Asians are more tolerant of hybrids and deformed strains and dyed fishes makes us look like "barbarians" to the westerners. It's all fair though given how they can espouse their scientific ideas, yet immediately shoot down counter claims with even more absurd forms of reasoning, especially if an Asian hobbyist is making them look bad for being ignorant at times.

Though I must say, griping about cost is one of my pet peeves where Asians are concerned. Is it so difficult not to bargain at times, or is it already in our DNA?

[cdckjn]

Erh, in the Western countries, that is the temperate places - i.e. they are "colder" - they have cold winters and warm summers. But in Asia the water temperature is more constant and as the water is warmer, the bacteria growth rate is faster and the oxygen in the water can be higher (all these are from logic and not scientific, although you can try to check this). So if bacteria and oxygen higher the nitrogen cycle also faster and better so we can put more fishes in per volume of water as compare to the Western 'colder' water environment.

[ZackZhou]

Erh, in the Western countries, that is the temperate places - i.e. they are "colder" - they have cold winters and warm summers. But in Asia the water temperature is more constant and as the water is warmer, the bacteria growth rate is faster and the oxygen in the water can be higher (all these are from logic and not scientific, although you can try to check this). So if bacteria and oxygen higher the nitrogen cycle also faster and better so we can put more fishes in per volume of water as compare to the Western 'colder' water environment.

If I'm not wrong, colder water do have higher oxygen level, instead of warmer temperature. Bb grow faster in warmer temperature as that is it's ideal temperature.


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