Extremely hard post to read, and I'm sure write... Sorry for your loss and painful experience
MY question is why would places like petsmart and petco even have fish like pacus when the majority of people have no way of housing these fish. They should leave these to special orders. Most people just go in and see a little shiny fish and buy it not knowing that it will become a monster.
Simple: They are in the business of making $. No more, no less. Once ppl understand that this is a business for most Pet Stores, and not an animal placement program, all will be far better off.
Fish like these are commonly brought into the store to attract unknowning would-be fish lovers into getting a small tank and a few fish (which they tell you to cycle with). once the first fish die, you buy more, and meds, and chemicals, etc., etc. When you fish outgrow your tank, you get one for a quote:
10" fish , when this doesn't work you get an even bigger tank.....and so the cycle goes :wall: