Why aquarium dabblers suck

Glabe

Glabe

River Rat
May 10, 2011
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the reason that irks me the most recently: when people act unhappy when I tell them goldfish can live to be older than 15 years... then they look relieved when I say they will only live a few years max in their bowl. Then I say things like "torture" and "we only sell to good homes," and then they get all defensive... it's mostly soccer moms just trying to get their kids a goldfish for a plaything...
 
My 9 yo daughter says she doesn't like sales person who askes lots of questions about her tank and tries to sell her a completely different fish. She did the research and knows what she wants. According to her give the customer what they want. But we adults know some customers are complete idiots!
 
It's an investment requiring hobby, that's for sure. My mom wants a macaw. The problem is *I* don't want a macaw, and frankly, odds are good that's going to happen if she gets one. 80 years is a long time, and I'm pretty sure that, statistically speaking, my mom won't see half of them.
 
I wouldn't wouldn't say "dabblers" suck. Then again, I don't think of anyone interested in the hobby as a dabbler. People are interested or not. This is not a hobby that you can dabble in. I do understand what you are saying and why you might say that. I also think there are far too many in this hobby that are complete idiots and that some refuse to change. Can't do much to help those that won't listen. Those that refuse to listen when they decide they want to buy a wet plaything leaves you in a tough position. You know the fish won't get what it needs to thrive, then again, you can't refuse to sell them or you lose your job. I suppose in a perfect world we wouldn't have this discussion and everyone would be happy and thoughtful. Until that happens we just have to grin and bear it while hoping for the best. Good thing they can't hear your thoughts!

ITMT - keep smiling!
 
I agree to an extent. Put yourself in a Petsmart/Petco or any other store employees shoes. Would you rather run the risk of a fish living a bad life or loosing your job? Some people do rely on those weekly paychecks just to make ends meets. But OTOH the people buying their new pet should at least do some research and find out what is required to keep the fish happy and live a good life. Its like buying a boxer knowing that it need daily exercise but refusing to take it out on a walk. Unfortunately there are many ( too many) incidents out there that people refuse to do research on what they're purchasing just to give what ever animal they buy a nice and loving enviroment to live its days in. Thats just my 2 cents.

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The worst are the customers who come in and want a tiger oscar for their 10 gallon tank that they are buying at the same time.
 
People keeping bettas in little bowls that they can barely fit the fish in.
 
Like any new endeavor, most people starting out in fishkeeping don't know what is involved. I would love to see classes in "Basic fishkeeping for beginners" or some such like petco/smart offer dog training classes. Then the ones who get hooked can come here.
 
:iagree: I want to slap some people sometimes. Another problem is there are so many misconceptions out there about aquarium keeping that people think they know enough already when all they know is nothing.
 
Himekp said:
:iagree: I want to slap some people sometimes. Another problem is there are so many misconceptions out there about aquarium keeping that people think they know enough already when all they know is nothing.
Click to expand...

I believe alot of the misconceptions start with the employees at pet stores. Those employees have to make the sale so they throw out some obsurdity that you can just buy a tank and throw any fish in. When i first started the hobby i was told i could have all these fish in my tank and blah blah blah. So i thought " hey im gonna have a bad *** fish tank". Two months later i find this forum and realize that i cant have a JD and a cuda in a 20H tank or even live peacefully together for that matter.

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