why did a petsmart employee put Water Conditioner in a customers' bag of fish

[iheartbettas]

The customer bought some fish and the employee put a few drops of what was labeled "Water Conditioner" (the top fin brand) into the fish bag. Is this the water conditioner that dechlorinates water used for tap water? The kind I put into tap water I use after water changes? Or does this help the fish in transport. Thanks.

[Rbishop]

probably has something to do with they believe it helps with ammonia and slime coat protection..from the label on it..

For use in freshwater and saltwater aquariums. Use during new aquarium setup and
after water changes to instantly treat tap water by removing harmful chlorine,
chloramine and heavy metals. Also reduces the effects of ammonia. Protects fish
with four slime coat enhancers. Measuring cap included.

[purplecandle]

Could be an attempt to get people to buy that product. Sale upgrade, person buys a dollar fish..then gets talked into buying something else.

[esoepr1976]

It's kind of like a slime coat type stuff that we put in with the fish for transport. Helps with the ammonia etc. if the fish travels a while, and helps destress them from being netted....

Emily (used to work there)

[iheartbettas]

thanks everyone. Just as long as it won't harm the fish.

[Neatfish]

You don't use prim or nothing like that? How are your fish still alive?

[tanker]

Acutally that is a good practise for them. The fish are already stressed, so they will put out more ammonia, and the handleing (netting, ect) removes some of the fishes slime. So, adding some water conditioner into the bag will help with the trip home.

[Slappy*McFish]

As long as they put oxygen in the bags it's a good practice. Water conditioners (like Prime) used to detoxify ammonia, are also O2 reducers and should be carefully used in a bag. The short drive home from the store should be fine, though.