You can read/participate in a discussion on that exact subject here:
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=239528
The demon spawn known as *chain store name removed*
- Thread starter Belltrain
- Start date
You can read/participate in a discussion on that exact subject here:
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=239528
captaincaveman9, yes these are 2 steps that I should take soon. I am currently dealing with college and work(and water changes 
) but will try and get the conditions changed. I am also very pleased that some big chain stores produce non-sick fish.
) but will try and get the conditions changed. I am also very pleased that some big chain stores produce non-sick fish.
...my Convict thread says both big pet store names on the first post...and its been up for a while now with out editing?
I find rescues outside of most lfs unless it's THAT bad and the fish has been there for a while. Otherwise it's just supporting bad habits. Am I kicking a dead horse? Is that how the saying goes?
my local **** pet section - i assume that's the chain your talking about - is pitiful. >.< they don't have substrates, they just have 'pretty little pictures' of rocks, they don't put any sort of shelter or anything at all for that matter in the tanks. they severely overstock, for some crazy reason they stock all the bottom feeders together in the same 5g - with only a picture of gravel. they let the dead ones sit there for...who knows how long. and man! those poor bettas in 1inch of water!
makes me so sad
needless to say i no longer purchase aquarium supplies there, or really anything at all.
makes me so sad
needless to say i no longer purchase aquarium supplies there, or really anything at all.
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I agree that many chain pet stores are not that good but I don't think it is fair to say they all are bad. There is a chain store near me (not my usual lfs) that often has diseased fish but I think the conditions could be a lot worse for the fish, but they could also be better.
One thing to consider when you see dead fish in any fish stores tanks is the number of fish they have to bring in to the store. They sell many fish a day and have to order many fish to replace the fish they sold. When you are bringing in so many fish so often there are bound to be deaths no matter how good the fish store is. Another thing to consider is the number of tanks they have in the store. When they have so many tanks I can see how easy it would be for a dead fish or two to escape the notice of the store employees especially when they bring in the number of fish that they bring in.
One thing to consider when you see dead fish in any fish stores tanks is the number of fish they have to bring in to the store. They sell many fish a day and have to order many fish to replace the fish they sold. When you are bringing in so many fish so often there are bound to be deaths no matter how good the fish store is. Another thing to consider is the number of tanks they have in the store. When they have so many tanks I can see how easy it would be for a dead fish or two to escape the notice of the store employees especially when they bring in the number of fish that they bring in.
My personal experience has been that Yellow Chain Store is much worse than Blue Chain Store, and we have both in our area. Yellow Chain Store seems to have more unusual Bettas, and more small critters, but at least Blue Chain Store doesn't have 50% floaters in their tanks.
I'm not a quarantine person myself, because I only have one fish tank and I don't put a TON of work into it. But my friend now quarantines for a month before introducing any fish into her main tanks. However, she has invested a lot more in her tanks, having native planted tanks, guppy breeding, and a mix of hand-captured natives and some pet store fish.
Me, I bought a $20 tank and just take whatever fish she doesn't want at this point.
I window shop, but would never buy fish from the "Pet" department of any department store.
I'm not a quarantine person myself, because I only have one fish tank and I don't put a TON of work into it. But my friend now quarantines for a month before introducing any fish into her main tanks. However, she has invested a lot more in her tanks, having native planted tanks, guppy breeding, and a mix of hand-captured natives and some pet store fish.
Me, I bought a $20 tank and just take whatever fish she doesn't want at this point.
I window shop, but would never buy fish from the "Pet" department of any department store.
There is really no need to get your "undies all twisted up" over fish death in many stores. You have to keep in mind that with fragile merchandise there is going to be loss. I realize that sounds cruel, cold and uncaring, the fact is you can only do a certain amount to minimize the loss. You are going to have some sort of loss no matter what.
Sometimes, what you see is that loss in action and sometimes you see neglect in action. Can you tell 100% which is which? No, you can't. Ask some of the AC Vendors that have had to endure huge losses that were beyond their control. It is sad that some places have the ability to minimize loss while other do nothing simply because it is far more cost-effective. Try to remember that some vendors do not have the same level of altruism toward fish that you have. Until there are laws protecting such livestock, it's not likely to change but you should still make your point to the vendor.
Sometimes, what you see is that loss in action and sometimes you see neglect in action. Can you tell 100% which is which? No, you can't. Ask some of the AC Vendors that have had to endure huge losses that were beyond their control. It is sad that some places have the ability to minimize loss while other do nothing simply because it is far more cost-effective. Try to remember that some vendors do not have the same level of altruism toward fish that you have. Until there are laws protecting such livestock, it's not likely to change but you should still make your point to the vendor.
This is like the mindset people have about puppies from puppy mills. Buying a puppy at a chain store in the mall because it's oh so cute and all that just keeps those puppy millers breeding more unhealthy dogs. I have two mindsets on this though - doesn't that puppy deserve a loving home? But at the same time, there are thousands of puppies at shelters nearby, and those puppies need homes too. The shelter pups aren't supporting a puppy mill, but I still feel so bad for the pet store pups. Sort of a vicious cycle I guess. Similar situation with some pet stores. You buy the fish, they replace it with more unhealthy or uncared for fish. When you support them, they continue to do what they do. It's only when they lose their customers that they'll either change or close.
