Catfish wont stop growing
- Thread starter jeo4
- Start date
Probably a bit off topic, but...
I guess it's greed, but why do the LFSs continue selling things that they KNOW will outgrow all but National Aquarium-sized tanks? It really aggravates me, but I have only myself to blame since I didn't do the necessary research ahead of time.
I was sold TWO channel cats last September to go in my 125g, and of course, I didn't know any better and trusted the idiot at the store. In hindsight, he really was an idiot, or greedy as I said before, because he also sold me 3 Bala sharks, an angel, and 3 tiger barbs at the same time. First, this was too many fish to add at one time, snd second, these were all supposed to go into a tank that already had 8 blood parrots, a a 2-3" angel, a 5" bala, and 5-6 other smaller fish. Fortunately for me, the quicker-growing channel cat knocked himself silly on the side of the tank and died at about 8", so I only have 1 left. He's not growing too fast, but is getting bigger and is about 6" now, and I think he's responsible for eating the only remaining small fish from the original fish that came with my tank. I think I'll donate him to the aquatic garden center up the street.
I guess it's greed, but why do the LFSs continue selling things that they KNOW will outgrow all but National Aquarium-sized tanks? It really aggravates me, but I have only myself to blame since I didn't do the necessary research ahead of time.
I was sold TWO channel cats last September to go in my 125g, and of course, I didn't know any better and trusted the idiot at the store. In hindsight, he really was an idiot, or greedy as I said before, because he also sold me 3 Bala sharks, an angel, and 3 tiger barbs at the same time. First, this was too many fish to add at one time, snd second, these were all supposed to go into a tank that already had 8 blood parrots, a a 2-3" angel, a 5" bala, and 5-6 other smaller fish. Fortunately for me, the quicker-growing channel cat knocked himself silly on the side of the tank and died at about 8", so I only have 1 left. He's not growing too fast, but is getting bigger and is about 6" now, and I think he's responsible for eating the only remaining small fish from the original fish that came with my tank. I think I'll donate him to the aquatic garden center up the street.
Unfortunately the market is driven by what folks will buy and these things sell very well. I love irredescent sharks and made the mistake of buying them when I did not know better. I do believe it is the consumers responsibility, but if it helps any most of us made similar mistakes with fish at one point or another.
Additionally it is always wise to remember that pet store owners are not always pet keepers. It's all buisiness to many of them and nothing more. Fish keepers have a different attitude, and it can be seen in many cases with LFS employees. The employees that have tanks and do well will be the ones you can trust. Myths are rampant in this hobby and many of them are on the labels on the shelf. If an employee doesn't study at home, they may never know the difference even if they mean well in their efforts.
Dave
