When considering buying a new fish tank, consider the space you have available and where the aqauriam will be located. Remember, a tank gets heavy. Water itself is a lot of weight. Add in rocks, decorations, filters, and the fish, and you're talking about something you're not going to move very easily.
Be sure when positioning the tank that it is a place where it is visible. Why spend money on an aquarium if you are barely ever going to see the thing? It is also good to consider your tank maintanence when choosing a tank and location. Will it be easy to access the filter when you want to clean it and change the filter cartridge? Is it in a location where you can do water changes with ease? The harder it is to do regular cleaning, the less motivated you'll be to maintain the aquarium.
Also keep in mind that you're dealing with water...and spills, splashes, and accidents will happen. Don't keep the tank near any expensive furniture or electronics.
Just some tips to help if you're acquiring a new tank.
Showing posts with label Aquarium Fish. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Aquarium Fish. Show all posts
"Clown" Loach
Here is a picture of one my clown loaches in my community aquarium. I've had him for almost five years now! Proving that fish can live a long life if properly cared for, just like any other living thing.
Over Feeding Fish Could Lead to Problems
Fish always see hungry in a home aquarium. They are always going to the top of the tank whenever you walk by, hoping you'll drop some goodies in the tank. But when it comes to fish feeding, overfeeding is one of the hardest mistakes to avoid.
It can be directly harmful to both the health of the fish and the quality of their water. All that uneaten food will be broken down into ammonia and nitrite, both of which are extremely toxic to fish. As uneaten food decays, it can also cause a variety of other problems, including cloudy water, algae blooms, in addition to low PH and low oxygen levels in the tank.
Poor water quality leads to poor fish health. There is always debate as to how often to feed your fish. Some people suggest 2 or 3 small meals a day, while others suggest once a day is fine. A lot of times it also depends on the type of fish. Regardless of how often, always feed your fish about as much as they will consume in about 2 - 3 minutes. Any more could lead to problems.
It can be directly harmful to both the health of the fish and the quality of their water. All that uneaten food will be broken down into ammonia and nitrite, both of which are extremely toxic to fish. As uneaten food decays, it can also cause a variety of other problems, including cloudy water, algae blooms, in addition to low PH and low oxygen levels in the tank.
Poor water quality leads to poor fish health. There is always debate as to how often to feed your fish. Some people suggest 2 or 3 small meals a day, while others suggest once a day is fine. A lot of times it also depends on the type of fish. Regardless of how often, always feed your fish about as much as they will consume in about 2 - 3 minutes. Any more could lead to problems.
America's Most Popular Pet
There are twice as many pet fish in the United States then there are dogs, according to the American Pet Products Association. In fact, research suggests that pet fish can actually make us smarter and more relaxed by lowering our blood pressure.
Aquariums are increasingly popular because as lifestyles change and become more demanding, it is difficult to give a cat or dog the special attention it needs. And with advances in technology and the amount of products available, having an aquarium is becoming easier. This makes fish ideal for the family pet.
Aquariums are increasingly popular because as lifestyles change and become more demanding, it is difficult to give a cat or dog the special attention it needs. And with advances in technology and the amount of products available, having an aquarium is becoming easier. This makes fish ideal for the family pet.
Record-Breaking Aquarium
The Dubai Aquarium, which opened in November in the United Arab Emirates, has broken the Guinness Record for the "World's Largest Acrylic Panel." It is 108 feet wide, 27 feet high, 2.5 feet thick and weighs 540,989 pounds.
The largest panel before the Dubai Aquarium was at the Churaumi Aquarium in Japan. The Dubai Mall will be holding this record for a while, since the panel was the biggest acrylic that manufacturers could possibly make. The panel is made to withstand pressure from the 2,641,720 gallons of water behind it, while also being transparent so visitors can see the 33,000 animals on display.
Prepare for Problems With Fish
Recently, I didn't heed my own advice on having a fish tank. I didn't have back-up equipment that could have saved me a lot of trouble.
I had checked the temperature on my 55 gallon display tank one morning to find that there wasn't even a reading on the thermometer. The temperature had dropped so low, it was below that of the 68-degree low range reading. In fact, it had dropped to probably in the low 60s. For a tropical tank that is usually kept at 74 - 78, this could be quite a problem.
The source of the problem was a faulty heater. No matter what I tried, it wouldn't work. And who knows how long it had been out, since I hadn't checked the temp in a couple of days.
Now on to an emergency trip to the pet store...who didn't have the size heater I needed!! So, on to the next store who did have one on the shelf.
I was lucky...I didn't lose any fish in the long run. But for a $22 heater, I should have had one in reserve, even a used one, to insure my overall investment of fish. With fish tanks, one little error such as this could cause major fish loss.
The thing that saved me, I think, is that the temperature dropped slowly and I'm guessing the heater probably wasn't broken for that long. Fish are more sensitive to sudden temperature changes then they are to a more gradual change. Which is why it was important when I got the new heater to only increase the temperature by a few degrees ever 4 hours over the course of several days. I also added some ich preventative, since when fish are stressed out, they are more prone to disease.
I'm happy to report that all the fish are fine (and warm), but that I could have saved myself some time and aggravation by having a back-up.
I had checked the temperature on my 55 gallon display tank one morning to find that there wasn't even a reading on the thermometer. The temperature had dropped so low, it was below that of the 68-degree low range reading. In fact, it had dropped to probably in the low 60s. For a tropical tank that is usually kept at 74 - 78, this could be quite a problem.
The source of the problem was a faulty heater. No matter what I tried, it wouldn't work. And who knows how long it had been out, since I hadn't checked the temp in a couple of days.
Now on to an emergency trip to the pet store...who didn't have the size heater I needed!! So, on to the next store who did have one on the shelf.
I was lucky...I didn't lose any fish in the long run. But for a $22 heater, I should have had one in reserve, even a used one, to insure my overall investment of fish. With fish tanks, one little error such as this could cause major fish loss.
The thing that saved me, I think, is that the temperature dropped slowly and I'm guessing the heater probably wasn't broken for that long. Fish are more sensitive to sudden temperature changes then they are to a more gradual change. Which is why it was important when I got the new heater to only increase the temperature by a few degrees ever 4 hours over the course of several days. I also added some ich preventative, since when fish are stressed out, they are more prone to disease.
I'm happy to report that all the fish are fine (and warm), but that I could have saved myself some time and aggravation by having a back-up.
Are Fish Easy Pets?
As a life-long fish keeper, the answer to this question is not a simple yes or no. First, there are the differences between fresh-water set-ups versus salt-water. Having a salt-water tank is much more time consuming and high maintenance then fresh water set-ups.
For those looking for less maintenance, fresh water is by far the choice to make. The advantages to a fresh water set-up is that once the initial set-up is completed, the daily maintenance of the fish are basically just feeding and checking to see if there are any problems with the fish.
By looking for problems, I am referring to checking for unusual behavior, looking for any damaged fins, and checking for any signs of disease or fungus. By observing your fish for a few minutes everyday, you'll start to see what their "normal" behavior is, so that you can spot abnormal behavior. Plus, isn't the point of having a fish tank is to have something to enjoy everyday anyway?
Freshwater Fish also need weekly and monthly maintenance chores. Once the tank is established (i.e., been running for more then a couple of months), you still need to stay on top of checking the water quality of the aquarium. By water quality, you should check the PH level weekly (the amount of PH varies based on what type of fish you have) and the ammonia level (ammonia, even in small amounts, can be fatal to fish). Water softness/harness can also be a factor is you are keeping fish that are sensitive to the amount of harness (dissolved minerals) that are in the water.
As for monthly chores, the tank filter media should be cleaned or replaced at least once a month. Partial water changes are also of importance. An aquarium is an enclosed environment. Fish are excreting waste in the same water they are living and breathing. There is also decaying food in the tank producing ammonia. It is for this reason the tank water must be changed approximately every two weeks. When changing the water, a water conditioner must be added in order to remove any chlorine and other items in tap water that are harmful to fish. These conditioners can be found in most pet stores where fish are sold.
The good news is that once the tank is established, this type of maintenance routine is much lower in comparison to having other pets. If you enjoy a crisp, clean aquarium, then it is worth it to take these steps. If not, it could cause more problems down for your tank, making it higher maintenance.
When all is going well, then fish become an "easy" pet. But when problems occur in the tank, and your fish start to die, there is nothing easy about that!
For those looking for less maintenance, fresh water is by far the choice to make. The advantages to a fresh water set-up is that once the initial set-up is completed, the daily maintenance of the fish are basically just feeding and checking to see if there are any problems with the fish.
By looking for problems, I am referring to checking for unusual behavior, looking for any damaged fins, and checking for any signs of disease or fungus. By observing your fish for a few minutes everyday, you'll start to see what their "normal" behavior is, so that you can spot abnormal behavior. Plus, isn't the point of having a fish tank is to have something to enjoy everyday anyway?
Freshwater Fish also need weekly and monthly maintenance chores. Once the tank is established (i.e., been running for more then a couple of months), you still need to stay on top of checking the water quality of the aquarium. By water quality, you should check the PH level weekly (the amount of PH varies based on what type of fish you have) and the ammonia level (ammonia, even in small amounts, can be fatal to fish). Water softness/harness can also be a factor is you are keeping fish that are sensitive to the amount of harness (dissolved minerals) that are in the water.
As for monthly chores, the tank filter media should be cleaned or replaced at least once a month. Partial water changes are also of importance. An aquarium is an enclosed environment. Fish are excreting waste in the same water they are living and breathing. There is also decaying food in the tank producing ammonia. It is for this reason the tank water must be changed approximately every two weeks. When changing the water, a water conditioner must be added in order to remove any chlorine and other items in tap water that are harmful to fish. These conditioners can be found in most pet stores where fish are sold.
The good news is that once the tank is established, this type of maintenance routine is much lower in comparison to having other pets. If you enjoy a crisp, clean aquarium, then it is worth it to take these steps. If not, it could cause more problems down for your tank, making it higher maintenance.
When all is going well, then fish become an "easy" pet. But when problems occur in the tank, and your fish start to die, there is nothing easy about that!
Clown Loach Profile
One of my favorite fish, and one of the oldest in my aquarium (I've him him for almost five years), is the Clown Loach
The clown loach is an active schooling fish that is best kept in small groups of three to six fish. It will tolerate tankmates of other species, although docile species may become agitated by the constant activity of this fish. The clown loach may alarm its owner by lying on its side or back — while resting — appearing to be dead. This is normal clown loach behavior. It also makes audible clicking sounds in the evening, especially when feeding.
Because it is not a territorial fish, the clown loach generally poses no threat to its tankmates. However, the clown loach may become entangled in nets. This species can live for as long as 20 years in the home aquarium.
Provide a soft substrate because the clown loach likes to nose through the substrate to find tidbits of food to munch on.
The clown loach will accept most commercially prepared flake, freeze-dried and frozen foods. Its diet should be supplemented with small live foods, such as Tubifex worms, bloodworms and brine shrimp. This fish also loves snails. If you ever took home a live plant and ended up with a snail infestation, this is the fish that will take care of the problem.
Pet Haven Giveaway - $40 Value!
Do you take video with your point and shoot digital camera? If so, it could win you over $10,000 in the SanDisk YouTube Video Contest.
The folks that run the contest want to make it even easier for you to enter, so they are providing me with some camera disks to giveaway. They aren't just any old disks, they are 4GB SD cards valued at $32-$40 retail!
If you want to enter, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post with some type of contact info (website, email, whatever, as long as I can find you). Each comment will be assigned a number (first comment is number 1, etc.) Winners will be drawn via a random number generator. I'll contact the winners and the disk will be mailed to you. Don't worry, the addresses won't be sold to anyone. The Pet Haven contest goes through the end of September, while the SanDisk contest will be avaialable through November.
I have several disks to giveaway, so tell all our friends about contest!
The folks that run the contest want to make it even easier for you to enter, so they are providing me with some camera disks to giveaway. They aren't just any old disks, they are 4GB SD cards valued at $32-$40 retail!
If you want to enter, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post with some type of contact info (website, email, whatever, as long as I can find you). Each comment will be assigned a number (first comment is number 1, etc.) Winners will be drawn via a random number generator. I'll contact the winners and the disk will be mailed to you. Don't worry, the addresses won't be sold to anyone. The Pet Haven contest goes through the end of September, while the SanDisk contest will be avaialable through November.
I have several disks to giveaway, so tell all our friends about contest!
Never Release Hobby Fish Into The Wild
After catching a fish with teeth in an Illinois subdivision, Mark Dill and his 10-year-old son were certain they had found a piranha.
What they caught was a close cousin, the pacu, an aquarium fish sold in many pet stores. These fish look like piranhas, but grow much larger and have two rows of square teeth, unlike the piranha, which has one row of pointed teeth.
The fish was likely released into the wild once it got too big for some one's home aquarium.
The illegal release of fish into public waterways can be dangerous to current ecosystems because the fish can introduce new parasites and foreign diseases. Other species could be in danger if the "foreign" fish starts to eat the natives.
The best solution is to call your local store or check with an aquarium society and find someone to take it off your hands. Better yet, research a fish before adding it to your aquarium to find out how big it gets and how much trouble it can cause you.
Fish Distributor Fire
For some reason, this story made me think about fire plans in both our homes and in the local pet stores. What precautions and plans do we have in place for our pets should something unfortunate happen?
The story is about a tropical fish distributor trying to save their fish after a fire destroyed the building. The owners want to save their fish, which are worth over $15,000.
What plans do you have in place for your pets should their be some emergency?
The story is about a tropical fish distributor trying to save their fish after a fire destroyed the building. The owners want to save their fish, which are worth over $15,000.
What plans do you have in place for your pets should their be some emergency?
Proper Fish Feeding
One of the biggest causes of pollution in fish tanks is overfeeding. This Fish Channel article gives some good tips on how/when to feed your fish.
We may think that our fish are always hungry, but the truth is, fish need very little food on a regular basis to be healty.
We may think that our fish are always hungry, but the truth is, fish need very little food on a regular basis to be healty.
Don't Buy Live Fish at Wal-Mart
This is such a pet peeve (pardon the pun) of mine, but why does Wal-Mart sell live fish? Everytime I go to any Wal-Mart with tropical fish, they look sick, many having ich (white spot disease) or even worse - dead floating in the tank.
But still, they always have rows of tanks full of dying fish. And they keep buying more from distributors since the tanks are always full of semi-alive fish covered with ich or fungus.
So, please, don't buy your fish from Wal-Mart. It's not just because of my little soap-box, but adding unhealthy fish to your community tank can effectively wipe-out all the other fish in you have. Before adding any fish to your tank, inspect it closely for torn fins, fungus, and white spots. Make sure the fish is alert, active, and swimming around while not at the surface gasping for air.
Most likely, you won't find any fish like this at Wal-Mart. And even adding one unhealthy fish to your aquarium can introduce diseases that can destroy your community.
But still, they always have rows of tanks full of dying fish. And they keep buying more from distributors since the tanks are always full of semi-alive fish covered with ich or fungus.
So, please, don't buy your fish from Wal-Mart. It's not just because of my little soap-box, but adding unhealthy fish to your community tank can effectively wipe-out all the other fish in you have. Before adding any fish to your tank, inspect it closely for torn fins, fungus, and white spots. Make sure the fish is alert, active, and swimming around while not at the surface gasping for air.
Most likely, you won't find any fish like this at Wal-Mart. And even adding one unhealthy fish to your aquarium can introduce diseases that can destroy your community.
Did Nemo Inspire Flushing?
According to a blurb in Aquarium Fish Magazine, Australian scientists believe six platies species of fish, found in New South Wales, are a case of "Finding Nemo Syndrome."
It is believed the platies were flushed down the toilet in an effor to release them into the wild.
In the Finding Nemo Movie, one of the themes was "all drains lead to the ocean." Nemo is depicted escaping back to the wild via a sink drain.
The platies, discovered in a drain that connects to a ditch, are the first found in the wild, and experts worry they could devastate the native fish population. Although the act may have been well intentioned, platies eating habits and competitive nature with other fish concern experts, who are encouraging pet owners to seek other solutions for unwanted fish.
It is believed the platies were flushed down the toilet in an effor to release them into the wild.
In the Finding Nemo Movie, one of the themes was "all drains lead to the ocean." Nemo is depicted escaping back to the wild via a sink drain.
The platies, discovered in a drain that connects to a ditch, are the first found in the wild, and experts worry they could devastate the native fish population. Although the act may have been well intentioned, platies eating habits and competitive nature with other fish concern experts, who are encouraging pet owners to seek other solutions for unwanted fish.
Addicted to Fish Keeping
Yes, I'm addicted to the hobby. In most cases, having a fish tank starts out as a hobby. But sometimes, I feel as if I'm starting to become obsessed.
Fish are relatively inexpensive when compared to the costs of many other animals, and with so many varieties and types, it is easy to become obsessive about the hobby. At first, a 20 gallon tank is great, but then you want to keep more fish, so you look to purchase a bigger tank. Maybe a 30, or 55 gallon tank. But after a while, as your fish get bigger, and you get bored of the species you own, and you want to get a bigger, newer tank. With more fish. Or perhaps you want to keep the fish you own, but you want to try a different species that isn't compatible with your current fish. So you start a second tank with a different species.
And sometimes this is enough, but many of the hobby magazines talk about the adventures of fish breeding...which then of course may require some type of breeding tank. And then you want to keep some of the fish you breed, so you need a bigger tank to keep those fish, and the cycle starts all over again.
I recently read that the most popular fish tank sizes used to be the 20 - 30 gallon range. More and more, however, the 55 gallon has become the standard for many fishkeepers. And with all the options available in tank shapes and sizes, it makes it easier to fulfill your addictions.
In my opinion, it's a matter of how it effects your life and finances. If it is something you enjoy, and it doesn't interfere with the rest of your life too much, then enjoy!
Fish are relatively inexpensive when compared to the costs of many other animals, and with so many varieties and types, it is easy to become obsessive about the hobby. At first, a 20 gallon tank is great, but then you want to keep more fish, so you look to purchase a bigger tank. Maybe a 30, or 55 gallon tank. But after a while, as your fish get bigger, and you get bored of the species you own, and you want to get a bigger, newer tank. With more fish. Or perhaps you want to keep the fish you own, but you want to try a different species that isn't compatible with your current fish. So you start a second tank with a different species.
And sometimes this is enough, but many of the hobby magazines talk about the adventures of fish breeding...which then of course may require some type of breeding tank. And then you want to keep some of the fish you breed, so you need a bigger tank to keep those fish, and the cycle starts all over again.
I recently read that the most popular fish tank sizes used to be the 20 - 30 gallon range. More and more, however, the 55 gallon has become the standard for many fishkeepers. And with all the options available in tank shapes and sizes, it makes it easier to fulfill your addictions.
In my opinion, it's a matter of how it effects your life and finances. If it is something you enjoy, and it doesn't interfere with the rest of your life too much, then enjoy!
Bristlenose Pleco (Ancistrus)
The various types of Pleco fish (AKA sucker mouths, algae eaters) are becoming more popular in the fresh water aquarium hobby. One favorite is the bristlenose (or bushynose) Pleco, part of the genus Ancistrus sp.
They get their common name from the growths that form on the head of mature males. These fish are thought to be the "workers" of the tank, often cleaning a tank full of algae in relatively short time. They are great community fish and don't grow as large as the common pleco, making them perfect for smaller tanks.
They prefer a temperature in the mid to high 70s, which is common of tropical fish. These hardy fish will eat algae, but their diet should be supplemented with algae wafers, sinking pellets, and even fresh lettuce. They'll also eat common flake food, but need to have greens in their diet.
They are peaceful fish, but sometimes can be a bit territorial towards their own kind, or other bottom dwellers. They prefer a PH in the 6.5 - 7.0 range, but are very adaptable to a slightly higher PH. It is also though this species likes to have a bit of wood in their diet, so having a piece of driftwood is beneficial.
No one is exactly sure how many species are in the genus Ancistrus, and even experts have trouble differentiating the species. So most aquarists just stick with the safe name “Ancistrus sp.” when describing the fish that they are keeping.
Fish Not Boring
I've heard the familiar response when I tell people I have fish, that fish are boring. For any of us fishkeepers, we know that is far from the truth.
Fish can recognize their caretakers. Maybe not as much as dogs and cats, but fish do come to the front of the tank when their keepers walk by. Naturally, it may have something to do with the fact that the fishkeeper is also the one that feeds the fish, but many of our furry friends are trained with treats and food as well.
There are so many different varieties of fish, that you can put several fish hobbyists in a room, and they'll all have something different that they like to keep. Even the somewhat well known goldfish has a variety of strains, colors, and varieties. And each one has its own unique personality and habits.
Fish, as most pets, aren't without controversy. A few years ago, it was the arguments against genetically engineering a "glowing" strain of danio fish. Recently, the debate has been whether it's human to inject "glass" type of fish (those clear, colorless fish) with a dye to make them more colorful and "appealing" to the fish keeper.
Everyone has different animals and pets that they enjoy caring for, and no matter what your favorite, your pets make great pals. So enjoy caring for them, even if someone thinks your pet is boring.
Fish can recognize their caretakers. Maybe not as much as dogs and cats, but fish do come to the front of the tank when their keepers walk by. Naturally, it may have something to do with the fact that the fishkeeper is also the one that feeds the fish, but many of our furry friends are trained with treats and food as well.
There are so many different varieties of fish, that you can put several fish hobbyists in a room, and they'll all have something different that they like to keep. Even the somewhat well known goldfish has a variety of strains, colors, and varieties. And each one has its own unique personality and habits.
Fish, as most pets, aren't without controversy. A few years ago, it was the arguments against genetically engineering a "glowing" strain of danio fish. Recently, the debate has been whether it's human to inject "glass" type of fish (those clear, colorless fish) with a dye to make them more colorful and "appealing" to the fish keeper.
Everyone has different animals and pets that they enjoy caring for, and no matter what your favorite, your pets make great pals. So enjoy caring for them, even if someone thinks your pet is boring.
Fish Reference Site
I always advocate doing your research before taking home any pet; no matter if it's furry, wet, or anything in between. I came across a pretty good fish reference site with a listing of many of the common fish (and some not so common) that you'll find in your local store.
http://www.aquatic-hobbyist.com/freshindex.html
Enjoy.
http://www.aquatic-hobbyist.com/freshindex.html
Enjoy.
Acclimating You New Fish
For those you enjoy the fish hobby, it's always exciting to take home that new fish. Assuming you've done your research and the fish you are adding to your tank is compatible with your current inhabitants, the next step to making sure your fish is healthy is properly acclimating the fish to the tank.
The best thing to do when you get a new fish, is to put it in a "quarantine" tank for two weeks. This is a totally separate tank with no other fish, but with the same water parameters as the main tank. However, it is often difficult for many fish keepers to have an extra quarantine tank hanging around.
Any pet store that is half-way decent will put your fish in a plastic bag. Take the bag and float it in your tank for at least 15 - 20 minutes. This will allow the water that is in the bag to become the same temperature as the tank water.
The next step is to get a bucket and a fish net. Open the bag, and pour the fish out in a net over the bucket, so that the water in the bag doesn't get into the tank. This helps prevent any impurities in the tank water from the the store from getting into your tank. Drop the fish in your tank, and watch it swim about!
The best thing to do when you get a new fish, is to put it in a "quarantine" tank for two weeks. This is a totally separate tank with no other fish, but with the same water parameters as the main tank. However, it is often difficult for many fish keepers to have an extra quarantine tank hanging around.
Any pet store that is half-way decent will put your fish in a plastic bag. Take the bag and float it in your tank for at least 15 - 20 minutes. This will allow the water that is in the bag to become the same temperature as the tank water.
The next step is to get a bucket and a fish net. Open the bag, and pour the fish out in a net over the bucket, so that the water in the bag doesn't get into the tank. This helps prevent any impurities in the tank water from the the store from getting into your tank. Drop the fish in your tank, and watch it swim about!
Misleading Pet Sales Tactic
I always advocate doing your homework before making any major purchase; and a pet is a major purchase. The beauty of the internet is that you can search for anything you need. Not all the info will be totally accurate, but if you read enough stuff, you'll find that many sites will basically tell you the same things...and the ones that don't are probably the ones that aren't accurate.
With this being said, I was somewhat surprised with a sign posted at a pet store I visited over the weekend. In their attempts to "upsell" everything, there was a sign that said "buy a tank today, take home a fish today." Basically saying that if you're buying the tank, you might as well buy the fish too.
Now, for those that are doing their research before purchasing, they would know that a new tank set-up takes time. You should never put a fish in a new tank until the water is in, the filter is running, and the decorations are settled. Plus, the water should circulate for at least a few days before adding any fish. This allows for the colonies of the so-called 'good' bacteria to grow. I won't go into the complexities of why this needs to occur (though it's covered in many of my other posts), but it does bother me that this sign was posted.
As consumers, we look to our local pet stores, especially the ones that aren't big chains, to provide us with knowledge about our potential purchases. We expect them to be honest and do what it best for the pets, before doing what is best for their bottom lines. There is an expectation of responsibility when you're buying live animals, and this sign was far beyond irresponsible.
Hopefully, no one fell for the trap and overspent on a fish that most likely died if they took it home the same day the tank was set up.
With this being said, I was somewhat surprised with a sign posted at a pet store I visited over the weekend. In their attempts to "upsell" everything, there was a sign that said "buy a tank today, take home a fish today." Basically saying that if you're buying the tank, you might as well buy the fish too.
Now, for those that are doing their research before purchasing, they would know that a new tank set-up takes time. You should never put a fish in a new tank until the water is in, the filter is running, and the decorations are settled. Plus, the water should circulate for at least a few days before adding any fish. This allows for the colonies of the so-called 'good' bacteria to grow. I won't go into the complexities of why this needs to occur (though it's covered in many of my other posts), but it does bother me that this sign was posted.
As consumers, we look to our local pet stores, especially the ones that aren't big chains, to provide us with knowledge about our potential purchases. We expect them to be honest and do what it best for the pets, before doing what is best for their bottom lines. There is an expectation of responsibility when you're buying live animals, and this sign was far beyond irresponsible.
Hopefully, no one fell for the trap and overspent on a fish that most likely died if they took it home the same day the tank was set up.
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