morons buying fish

[RockabillyChick]

the other day, i was at petco, just looking around, still trying to dicide what fish i wanted to put in my 10 gallon when it finished cycling. there was this woman there, with a small child (probably about 4 or 5) with an employee following along behind her, going from tank to tank asking "what are these? are they friendly? ok, give me a couple of those"

i think by the end she had 2-3 each of at least 3 species of gourami, 3 bamboo shrimp, 3 ADFs, probably several different kinds of tetras and other small fish. she probably bought about $50 worth of fish, without knowing jack about any of them. i wanted to confront her and ask "What sized tank do you plan on throwing these fish into? is it cycled? do you have any idea if all these fish are compatible?" but i didnt...poor fishies.....

 

[Intermision]

I always see parens buying there kids fish hat probably won't survive. I was at Petco the other day and there where two kids that kept putting there fingers in the aquarium with a snowflake eel. I was waiting for one of them to get bitten.

 

[Hrafnkel]

So why didn't you ask her?

 

[graphicdesign_r]

The three sure things in life:

Death Happens

You Will Pay Taxes

Stupid People S*ck

Don't argue with them, they'll only drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience.

 

[Bosemani Fan]

Oh, I love going into fish stores, I go in alot just to help people! and to hear the Mis-advise the employees offer! sometimes its almost funny listening the the employees acting as if they are pros and the customers are so willing to listen to every word! I actually just came from Wal-mart, and This couple was buying 4 Kissing gouramis, For what? Yep you guessed it! 10Gal. tank that was just set up yesterday! But I think I saved the day, Instead of fish they left the store with a bottle of ammonia and my e-mail addy for additional info! Also, i was thinking, If Fish stores sold Ammonia, people may start asking questions about the use of it!

 

[Roan Art]

. . .Also, i was thinking, If Fish stores sold Ammonia, people may start asking questions about the use of it!

That's exactly the point I was trying to make in my ammonia thread.

Yer a good guy to help people like that, Boesemani Fan

Roan

 

[IceH2O]

I think part of the problem is that the people buying the fish see that the petstore has 50 fish in a 20 gallon tank and think they'll be able to do the same..

I'm no expert but thats why I cruise aquarium forums.

 

[Liz]

I guess it's hard balancing out "the customer is always right" and our rights as consumers, and the lives of animals. I made a ton of mistakes with fish when I was younger(10-12), mainly going through about 13 bettas because of our pet cat, and starting a 10 gallon without a filter. At one point I had two barbs in a 1 quart tank with an aerator. I don't remember what happened to them. I didn't know jack **** about filters or the nitrogen cycle, nor did my parents. I just got my first tank with actual equipment not a year ago.

I think it's rude and insulting to go around preaching information, but I am always willing to offer what I know in case anyone asks. And I am tempted even when people don't ask. I don't get many oppurtunities in the LFS I work at to teach people anything, since
A- I am new there and I really don't interact with customers at all
B- it's mostly expensive marine fish so the main customer base is already informed

I did overhear the owner and another employee swearing by Cycle, and I so wanted to throw in my two cents about how it is expensive garbage. I have talked to the owner about cycle and bio spira, and he insists that cycling products' companies have always tried to insist that their product is the best, And that Bio-Spira is no different. I told him it cycled my tank in 4 days but he didn't credit it, or believe it, or something.

 

[jasonskillz]

they r wasting their money anyways
let them b stupid
but on the other hand, i would sock them just cuz they wasting good bate for my fish
lolz

 

[indiginess]

lets face it, aquaria is a high turnover hobby

and pet stores operate with near zero profit margin, its tough to say anything when that woman with her daughter paid an employee's wage for the day.

i actually got offered a job once while in a pet store... maybe my shining moment as an aquarist.

let people buy what they want. the convience store clerk has no responsibility when someone stumbles out of their car for a case, do they?

when encountered with the opportuninty, i usually say that aquariums are very complex and success is dependent on time spent learning. either they will shrug, or their eyes will light up... from there the read on the next sentence is easy.

and the truth is, four kissing gouramis in a ten gallon will get some nice final meals... and their death will probably supply the ammonia for a cycle and the next wave. but hey, i'm a realist.

please don't hold these comments against me as a hobbiest... i love my fish as much as the next person. if i had the money, i'd buy every one on the planet......just to make sure.