I've been thinking a lot about this question, and it's really bothering me.
Many people on this forum have strong opinions about what's wrong with the aquarium industry. For example, there's too much misinformation being spread through pet stores regarding tank size requirements, species compatibility, and basic fish care. And many of us here try to do our part to reform the industry by speaking to employees when we see fish in poor conditions, or by boycotting stores that engage in practices we find unethical.
So, I began to wonder: What if we all got our way? What if we successfully reformed the aquarium industry? Maybe every pet store would start helping customers cycle their tanks before selling them their first fish. Maybe every betta would get its own filtered 5-gallon. Maybe clown loaches, oscars, and common plecos would be advertised as specialty fish for hobbyists with massive tanks. No schooling fish would be sold in a group smaller than six. And goldfish bowls would disappear.
If all this happened, could the industry support itself financially? Clearly, there would be a loss of revenue from fish sales, because fish mortality rates would drop, fish would live longer, and people wouldn't be replacing their pets as often.
Does anyone know how much revenue stores get from fish sales as opposed to product sales (tanks, filters, food, water conditioners, etc.)? Maybe stores could still support themselves through product sales.
But, even if that were the case, there would still be problems. Aquariums are usually advertised as a cheap, easy, and relaxing way to own a pet. The fish are cheap, the smaller tanks are cheap. This is why fish make such great impulse buys. This kind of impulse shopping is good business for stores.
What if customers were given a more truthful impression? That is, what if an employee said: "During the initial set-up phases, owning an aquarium is expensive, time-consuming, and stressful. You'll need at least a 30 gallon tank, if you want to keep fish x, y, and z. You'll need a filter rated for a larger tank, plus the most expensive heater we carry. And, you can't have the instant gratification of taking home your new pet today. You'll need to buy some pure ammonia and test your tank daily for several weeks. Oh, so you'll need this expensive master test kit. Let me give you this pamphlet on cycling. Just follow these instructions, and come back in a month to get your fish. And you can't get them all at once. You'll need to start slowly, which means you'll eventually need a second tank to quarantine your newer fish so your older fish don't get sick. So why don't you go ahead and get your QT tank, a second filter, and a second heater today..."
I mean, really, how many impulse shoppers would still spend their money under those circumstances?
So, as I was thinking of all this, I had the disturbing thought: What if the aquarium industry cannot support itself without the misinformation and animal mistreatment? What if animal mistreatment is necessary to the industry's survival?
I'm the kind of person who will go out of my way to support humane alternatives. For example, when I wasn't a vegetarian, I bought meat from the organic grocery store that was free-range and that came with certain guarantees that the animal was raised and killed as humanely as possible. I was glad that these companies existed as financially viable alternatives to the more inhumane meat industry companies.
But what if there is no financially viable way to reform the aquarium industry? I would feel very conflicted about continuing in this hobby if I knew that the industry had no way to support itself except through high fish mortality rates and misinformed impulse buys. I tell myself that it's ok to support this industry because I take good care of my fish, I do my best to spread good information, and I take my business to the best (i.e., most humane) lfs. But all my efforts would be pointless if the industry at large is incapable of reform.
Someone help me out! :help:
Is there a way to improve the quality of the aquarium industry without driving it out of business?
Many people on this forum have strong opinions about what's wrong with the aquarium industry. For example, there's too much misinformation being spread through pet stores regarding tank size requirements, species compatibility, and basic fish care. And many of us here try to do our part to reform the industry by speaking to employees when we see fish in poor conditions, or by boycotting stores that engage in practices we find unethical.
So, I began to wonder: What if we all got our way? What if we successfully reformed the aquarium industry? Maybe every pet store would start helping customers cycle their tanks before selling them their first fish. Maybe every betta would get its own filtered 5-gallon. Maybe clown loaches, oscars, and common plecos would be advertised as specialty fish for hobbyists with massive tanks. No schooling fish would be sold in a group smaller than six. And goldfish bowls would disappear.
If all this happened, could the industry support itself financially? Clearly, there would be a loss of revenue from fish sales, because fish mortality rates would drop, fish would live longer, and people wouldn't be replacing their pets as often.
Does anyone know how much revenue stores get from fish sales as opposed to product sales (tanks, filters, food, water conditioners, etc.)? Maybe stores could still support themselves through product sales.
But, even if that were the case, there would still be problems. Aquariums are usually advertised as a cheap, easy, and relaxing way to own a pet. The fish are cheap, the smaller tanks are cheap. This is why fish make such great impulse buys. This kind of impulse shopping is good business for stores.
What if customers were given a more truthful impression? That is, what if an employee said: "During the initial set-up phases, owning an aquarium is expensive, time-consuming, and stressful. You'll need at least a 30 gallon tank, if you want to keep fish x, y, and z. You'll need a filter rated for a larger tank, plus the most expensive heater we carry. And, you can't have the instant gratification of taking home your new pet today. You'll need to buy some pure ammonia and test your tank daily for several weeks. Oh, so you'll need this expensive master test kit. Let me give you this pamphlet on cycling. Just follow these instructions, and come back in a month to get your fish. And you can't get them all at once. You'll need to start slowly, which means you'll eventually need a second tank to quarantine your newer fish so your older fish don't get sick. So why don't you go ahead and get your QT tank, a second filter, and a second heater today..."
I mean, really, how many impulse shoppers would still spend their money under those circumstances?
So, as I was thinking of all this, I had the disturbing thought: What if the aquarium industry cannot support itself without the misinformation and animal mistreatment? What if animal mistreatment is necessary to the industry's survival?
I'm the kind of person who will go out of my way to support humane alternatives. For example, when I wasn't a vegetarian, I bought meat from the organic grocery store that was free-range and that came with certain guarantees that the animal was raised and killed as humanely as possible. I was glad that these companies existed as financially viable alternatives to the more inhumane meat industry companies.
But what if there is no financially viable way to reform the aquarium industry? I would feel very conflicted about continuing in this hobby if I knew that the industry had no way to support itself except through high fish mortality rates and misinformed impulse buys. I tell myself that it's ok to support this industry because I take good care of my fish, I do my best to spread good information, and I take my business to the best (i.e., most humane) lfs. But all my efforts would be pointless if the industry at large is incapable of reform.
Someone help me out! :help:
Is there a way to improve the quality of the aquarium industry without driving it out of business?
