Hobby tainted

She does swap them in for these fish to be fed to predators...

Maybe they don't care, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't care.

Keeping fish (or any animal) and then dumping them when you get bored is a shitty thing to do, from most people's viewpoints. It's not like crochet or colouring or collecting china dolls.

OP says she sensed "vitriol" - people are just offering up explanations as to why that might be.

I personally find it very odd that you're defending this, but each to their own.

Which makes me wonder why OP got bored/ jacked it in.
Because sadly, it's like some posters say: many women that are also mothers and often wives don't seem to be able to pursue a time-consuming or expensive hobby.

Speaking from experience, I got a lot of why and who does this or that around the house and DC when I'm gone the whole day competing. Well DC have a father and we have 2 cars!! And don't get me started when the lovely DC & DH greet me at the door asking for dinner after a day of competing. Ahm just sort yourselves out! Plenty of fast food in the fridge & freezer!
They can make it difficult if they want but for me it's definitely a battle worth fighting!
I am progressing nicely and after 3 years the family have almost accepted my hobby par the odd dig when it's eating into family time.

She keeps rasbora fish and some shrimp, I don't think they can distinguish between a pet shop aquarium and a home aquarium, much less whether they are being returned to a "random" aquarium or the one they were bought from.

It doesn't sound as though her family are approaching this from a rasbora welfare perspective though, and she wasn't asking about the ethics of fish-keeping as a hobby as opposed to a job.

Same! I think changing your mind when keeping animals is a different thing entirely to “oh I took up crochet and got bored”. I think it’s bloody cruel, if I’m honest.

Now that it's fishkeeping, I am on the fence a bit.

100% keep at it!

Well yes, just because they cost £4 doesn't meant they count for fuck all. Do you think a dog costing £5k is more worthy than a £50 dogs trust one?

They're still live animals who deserve a bit better than being shunted off to random pet shops when OP gets bored.

OP's hobby involves live animals - you can't just drop it when you can't be arsed anymore.

Am assuming we're coming from same angle? It's shitty to say that behaviour to live creatures is ok as long as the 'hobbyist' has fun @Laxoverhols

They’re all old enough for you to be utterly blunt with them.

so tell them LITERALLY to fuck off with their faux concern, that you’ve given up hundreds and thousands of hours indulging their whims and supporting their interests and now you’re taking a couple of hours for your own interests and they have the cheek to take the piss. And again, tell them to fuck right off.

i know that sounds base, but sounds like you’ve sacrificed a lot for them all and they begrudge you a couple of hours ‘off’

they don’t own you. This is your life, and you’ll do what makes you happy now.

If it's £4 fish, yes. I don't think they're particularly bothered whether they're swimming round an aquarium in OP's house or back in an aquarium at the shop, or someone else's house, as long as the pH of the water is the right one, they're not in with predators, and they've got whatever they need for stimulation. She's not swapping Labrador puppies here.

Maybe they don't approve of you blowing hot and cold on a hobby that involves live animals, and this is their way of trying to tell you that?

well fish swapping is intriguing. altough id get attached to the fish

My local fish shop is brilliant and will take back fish if my interest gradually wanes.

i wonder what this fish shop will think when they see the Op back. Yet again. To buy fish. Knowing that she’ll lose interest again and they will get the fish back.

I think the issue is that they have to listen to you blathering on about it when you are hyper-focused on the hobby. I can't imagine how annoying it would be to live with someone who thought I wanted to hear about their boring hobby 24/7.

pokemon is quite popular, for me its magic the gathering cards. our local market trader seems more pokemon focused than magic but then again it does seem to do well.

Seriously? You don’t think that for someone many times to have got fish, cared for them, got the equipment etc and then got bored and jacked it in.

then restarted

then jacked in

rinse and repeat

Each time buying and then disposing of fish?

They reminded me of all the times I’d given up said hobby,

I wonder how many times over the years the op has “given up said hobby” and disposed of the fish

This is why context is important. I was on your side until you revealed that the hobby you start and stop involves live animals.

Getting a pet is a commitment. Knowingly buying fish that you're going to give away or swap when you lose interest is grim.

Even when it's living creatures that get picked up, got rid of, as long as it's fun for the hobbyist?

But the op gets rid of these living beings
and then when she’s in the mood again… just buys more

we aren’t talking about knitting here

Multiple times the op has picked this hobby up and ran with it, and multiple times got bored and jacked it in.

And even these latest exchange makes her think she’ll jack it in and she hasn’t even restarted it!!

@Nicechianti You've suggested you only spend £4-8 on fish but then you said 'I was talking about the size of my next aquarium.' Do you get rid of the equipment each time?

Don't let go of something you find pleasure in. People do like to mock, especially in groups. Even family, like a gang mentality. Egging each other on. It can become cruel. Someone will always be the butt of a joke. I have learned to be private and don't discuss things as every one likes to have an opinion and gossip is like a currency in my family. Years ago, a relative mocking me for my reading choices.They just wanted to humiliate someone to feel better about them selves.
Trying to reason or discuss your feelings with your family will that have any impact? if not join online or local groups who share your enthusiasm. Its nothing to be shamed by. Everyone likes different things. Hobbies are there to be enjoyed. If you stop enjoying them as much, lots of people pick them up and start off again. It could be down to their immaturity with your kids being at that age they don't like to even stand next to parents for fear of being embarrassed.
Just do your hobby. Don't bother to talk to them about it as you know the response you get and look for your enthusiasm and sharing with like minded people.
Or you could go the other way. Next time they try to wind you up or disapprove of your hobby. Joke with them. Threaten to if they don't stop winding you up you will take it to another level and wear a conductors outfit and threaten to meet their friends at the door wearing it. Shouting all aboard!. The shock factor might make them back down. They know your sensitive about it.and that's why they do that. If they seem you aren't taking their comments seriously and just become more confident in your hobby and will give it back. It might stop. Your an adult. You can have as many trains as you want.
Which ever way is best for you. Don't give up what you enjoy. For fear of gossiping tongues or other opinions or that they like to judge you. I'm sorry you don't have the support you need. Be your own supporter