another thing is the type of store. chain stores have a one-size-fits-all mentality, while independent stores usually have the ability and the inclination to keep hard to sell or large fish in larger, less crowded tanks.
How long do fish stores have fish in general?
- Thread starter PuppyFluffer
- Start date
I've definately seen a difference with the major chains and the smaller stores in terms of the size of tanks and number of fish.
I have a huge opposition to doing business with anyone who sells puppies so that limits my choices in my area. I do have a good aquarium shop about 45 minutes away. It's the closest. We have a Petco closer that I stopped in on recently and was told they have a 14 day guarantee on all fish. That surprised me. Too bad I didn't get the bad advice from them to add Bio-Spira and 4 neons on the same day and everything would be "ok". Against my better judgement, I took the advice. The tank went into a cycle, ammonia and nitrites got high, I couldn't keep up with water changes and the neons died. (being brand new to this, I didn't know water could change that fast, that I needed to test that frequently and do daily water changes in necessary.) I was not a happy camper and I won't ever follow advice that is against my inner sense again. This plan of action came from a reputable lfs too. Maybe the Bio-Spira was not viable. That's my guess though it was refrigerated.
I've learned so much from you guys!
I have a huge opposition to doing business with anyone who sells puppies so that limits my choices in my area. I do have a good aquarium shop about 45 minutes away. It's the closest. We have a Petco closer that I stopped in on recently and was told they have a 14 day guarantee on all fish. That surprised me. Too bad I didn't get the bad advice from them to add Bio-Spira and 4 neons on the same day and everything would be "ok". Against my better judgement, I took the advice. The tank went into a cycle, ammonia and nitrites got high, I couldn't keep up with water changes and the neons died. (being brand new to this, I didn't know water could change that fast, that I needed to test that frequently and do daily water changes in necessary.) I was not a happy camper and I won't ever follow advice that is against my inner sense again. This plan of action came from a reputable lfs too. Maybe the Bio-Spira was not viable. That's my guess though it was refrigerated.
I've learned so much from you guys!
I personally won't lump all walmarts into one category I have actually been to one where the young gal was very adept at taking care of the fish and was fairly knowledgeable regarding fish care.
bio spira is a great product when handled correctly
bio spira is a great product when handled correctly
although i'm all for customer education, listing things like "this fish will get up to 10 inches and therefore should only be kept in a 5000000 gallon tank" are kind of like selling a packet of tomato seeds stating that it requires 5000000 acres of land as it will eventually fill that in.
It depends on the fish, the quality of the stock and store, and the price. If a fish is low quality, at a higher than the norm price, or is a generally ugly fish or one that outgrows small tanks (like an oscar), they will probably be there for a while. Fish like guppies, which are almost certainly cheap, well known, and pretty will sell quickly, even in a cruddy LFS (guppies take a lot not to look good, as well).
But generally, a common, healthy fish at an average price in a half-decent, not too busy store will sell in a matter of days up to a week. Fish like oscars usually take at least a week, although they are probably the most well known large fish, or at least the fish that is most known to get big (goldfish are probably the most known big fish, but nobody knows they get big because of those d@mnable little bowls).
Do you mean you don't think they should say things like that, for buisness reasons? Or are you saying they shouldn't stock the fish?
But generally, a common, healthy fish at an average price in a half-decent, not too busy store will sell in a matter of days up to a week. Fish like oscars usually take at least a week, although they are probably the most well known large fish, or at least the fish that is most known to get big (goldfish are probably the most known big fish, but nobody knows they get big because of those d@mnable little bowls).
Do you mean you don't think they should say things like that, for buisness reasons? Or are you saying they shouldn't stock the fish?
How long are the fish there? Depends on if it's popular or not. I went to a Wal-mart one time, and they had one green spotted puffer that was emaciated and had an open wound on it's chin. When I asked the lady (who worked there) about it, she said he had been there for a month, and no one would buy him and he just "wouldn't die." I took him home (for 30 cents!) and fed him bloodworms, but he died 3 days later. It was disgusting how they were keeping the fish there!
if it makes you feel better, neons really enjoy dying. even if your water was perfect, you might have had the same result.
That does make me feel a tad bit better! But it also drives home the point that the employee that helped me was not very educated because I explained that I was brand new to this hobby and that I wanted hardy fish and that I was willing to wait as long as necessary to get the tank ready because I didn't want to kill any fish!
I have since been to a different store and learned how sensitive neons are. I was advised that if I wanted 6 of them, I should buy at least 10 and allow for death. He also explained that he gets them from Florida where the water is softer and that they have a hard tme adapting to our hard water here. Good things to know. We won't try them again anytime soon. I think it would be totaly cool to have a 125 gal with about 80 of them in there but I'm not ready for that anytime soon!
Thanks for all the help!
I have since been to a different store and learned how sensitive neons are. I was advised that if I wanted 6 of them, I should buy at least 10 and allow for death. He also explained that he gets them from Florida where the water is softer and that they have a hard tme adapting to our hard water here. Good things to know. We won't try them again anytime soon. I think it would be totaly cool to have a 125 gal with about 80 of them in there but I'm not ready for that anytime soon!
Thanks for all the help!
