How do you get rid of live fish?

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sam_the_man1987

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Apr 12, 2006
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Southern Utah
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What do you if with your fish if you are over stocked, or if your fish are all getting bigger. Will the pet stored buy them back or trade for them, like
petco and some little small shops. I don't know anyone to give them to, because rightnow I'm okay, but when they all grow I'll have to down size.
 
It depends on the store and the fish you are trying to unload - at the very least, most LFS will just take them off your hands, maybe with some trade-in value. The best thing is to plan your fish acquisitions based on getting fish that will fit your tanks when they are adults, so you won't have to get rid of them. Or, if you are breeding, set up an arrangement with local shops before hand. Also, fish auctions at local fish clubs are another great way to sell your fish.
 
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idealy, one should do their research before they purchase so they don't run into this problem down the line. I have never had to turn in fish before, but ask your LFS, they will probably take them in.
 
Guys, I think your being a little hard on him, its not just a question of research and not falling into the trap, fish such as mollies and swordtails etc etc breed with remarkable ease and will eventually overstock your tank. I have no idea what kind of fish he has in his tank but assumming its something that readily reproduces what is he to do, maybe LFS's should hold some responmcability and inform people of their fish habits that they are buying and warn them. I once had some swordtails and they quickly ocverran my 50g tank, at no point did my LFS even hint at this was a possibility, yes perhaps I should have reasearched but hell it's all part of the aquarium keeping learning curve.
 
I agree, everyone is being pretty tough on him. For the average person who sets up an aquarium they are going to beleive what the employee at a fish store tells them, after all you would *think* an employee at a fish store would know what they are talking about.

You can't blame anyone who does not know better for listening to an employee as opposed to researching it on the web first. So ease up.
 
Vyper said:
Guys, I think your being a little hard on him, its not just a question of research and not falling into the trap, fish such as mollies and swordtails etc etc breed with remarkable ease and will eventually overstock your tank. I have no idea what kind of fish he has in his tank but assumming its something that readily reproduces what is he to do, maybe LFS's should hold some responmcability and inform people of their fish habits that they are buying and warn them. I once had some swordtails and they quickly ocverran my 50g tank, at no point did my LFS even hint at this was a possibility, yes perhaps I should have reasearched but hell it's all part of the aquarium keeping learning curve.
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I have over-stocking problems for 2 reasons. First, my fish keep breeding. Second, my wife will go out and just buy a fish that she thinks looks cute. I’m lucky that the LFS across the street from me is very good at taking fish and usually gives me a small store credit for anything I bring in.
 
I see nothing wrong with looking to off load fish that don't fit a stocking plan or that you can't provide for. this hobby has too many variables. Research (although imperative) cannot predict if a certain cichlid will take offense to the females you offer her. Research cannot predict if a gouramis will remain peaceful or turn into the terror of you tank. Unexpected things happen.

Then there's my situation. I have limited tanks space, and literally hundreds of dwarf cichlid species I want to keep. Once I spawn a species a few times. I sell it/trade it in and get another species. If the store/person your giving/selling it too is reputable, and the fish is healthy there is no problem. The fish will come through just fine.

I do have a problem with the all too commmon practice of getting a tankbusting fish (oscars leading the charge), waiting untill it is too big for the tank, then waiting untill his accomodations cause him to become diseased, then bringing it in to LFS barely alive. If the fish is sick, or injured in some way, or stunted from YOUR neglect, then it's YOUR duty to get it healthy or euthanize it.
 
My boyfriend overstocked our tank and I had to unload some fish. One petstore offered to take them, but wouldnt give a credit b/c they didnt need them. The other took them and gave us 25 bucks in credit! That was very nice. So dont feel bad and dont let these guys make ya feel guilty. It is a learning experience and we all started somewhere.
 
Another option is to donate your fish to a friend. Even some lfs accept fish for this purpose. Just make sure they are not going to use your fish to feed other fish!
 
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