Horrible night

I went out to Wal-Mart to grab a few things tonight, and I needed to grab some stress coat, so down the fish aisle I go. The second I turn down the row, I felt sick. It smelled so bad you could hardly even breathe It was the bettas. I swear guys, I have never seen anything like it. Some of the cups were so digusting you couldn't even tell what color the fish was inside.

Now, generally, I am one of those people who throws a fit to the manager, and whoever else will listen, so I set off to find one. No such luck, the managers leave at 7 I was told. I asked if there was someone who works in fish available, nope, gone as well. I couldn't stand it.

I was honestly almost in tears as I put these fish in my cart. The smell was so horrible, the poor fish were in the worst condition I have ever seen, ever I know buying them does more harm then good for future fish, but I morally, could not leave them there

I'm calling the manager tomorrow morning to remind him of my numerous complaints in the past and to tell him I am calling the 1-800-WALMART number that Kelly had luck with.

I was so so angry and still choked up when I got in my car. I called Julie and she said I should post before and after pictures, which was my plan. However, I got them in the fish room, took one shot and couldn't stand it. So I only have one before picture, but I'm sure you understand. I just couldn't leave them in there one more second.

Here's the one before shot All the cups were not even half full like this, and about half were that horrible color, the rest so full of waste I wanted to throw up

I have everyone in their tanks now, 8 in kritter keepers and 6 in jars, temporary, I wasn't prepared for 14 bettas tonight and I have about 15 tanks that need sterilized before they have new inhabitants.

Here's part of a row in the kk's

The other end of that row, this is about an hour afterwards, when everyone was in salt, stresscoat, and clean water. You can see the little steel guy is flaring

These three are the worst from what I can tell because they are covered in fungus I took these pictures before I medicated so you can actually see them

Good for you babe. They've got a fighting chance now, I'm glad you rescued them. Looks like you ended up with some pretty ones too. And they are no longer laying on the bottom, that's the true beauty of it.


Get well little fish.

Close up on the guy on the end's tail...really bad, he's definately the worst

The other bad fungus-y guy, the third one has fungus under his chin, so no picture Excuse that feather...I have fishroom birds ya know

Last picture, this is two hours in clean water, and we have some happy boys

I told Julie, I took everyone that was alive, but looked like it wouldn't last one more night in that water, so this makes me so happy I actually carded them after 10 minutes and told them maybe they just need to rest a little

Well, I'm speechless. I'm sure they don't know what to think about all of this TLC 14 of them,aay? It kills me that they just made 40.00+ off of you. I totally understand because I've been there done that (I think my max was 8 at a time though ) but still....

But you did the right thing. But...I finally started just changing their water at the sink in the store. It takes just a minute and I DARE somebody to object to me busting open a bottle of Aquasafe and making myself at home. If they have enough time to say something,well then I also feed them

The one on the right in the last pic is byoootyful And so are the rest Fungus face and all ( )

I just fed everyone, and four of them ate Just pellets though as everyone else has already got the real dinner, but I couldn't not feed everyone the same thing

The money thing definately sucks, we'll see what they say when I call tomorrow I honestly thought about changing water at the store Just makes me sick

Oh and just to clarify, my husband is poking holes in those jar lids so we don't have further traumas

I just think it is amazing the difference water quality makes, every single one was laying on the bottom, and now I actually have some flarers

Been there, done that. Over and over again. Glad to see someone else is with me.

They are such lucky guys with you to rescue them

I would have been horrified too if I'd come across a sight like you did

I went to 3 lfs yesterday looking for female bettas but didn't have any luck. But I did see some amazing sights of badly kept fish and in one shop the smell hit us their tanks had no lids on and we found 2 fish dried up on the floor My husband was so disgusted he told me to get out the shop quick before he got very angry

Keep us updated on how these guys get on and well done you

thats so wonderful that you took the time and money to rescue them i have two rescues too - the first is from petsmart and it has taken almost 5 months of special care to get him looking good~ the second was just rescued from walmart 2 weeks ago and he's still fighting for his life. still not sure if he'll make it and praying hard.i contacted managers to complain, they were never around. never thought about changing the water and feeding myself!!!!! excellent idea. i'll also keep the 800 number for walmart, as of yesterday they actually had no bettas for the first time but a new girl has taken over the pet section - maybe she too has a problem with the betta care???

Its sad to see pet stores keep fish like that It really should be changed.
But you know how it is... Wal-mart doesn't sell fish for the sake of fishkeeping... they sell them for money
You did a really nice favor for all of those fish Sorrell

Sorrell said:

Last picture, this is two hours in clean water, and we have some happy boys

I told Julie, I took everyone that was alive, but looked like it wouldn't last one more night in that water, so this makes me so happy I actually carded them after 10 minutes and told them maybe they just need to rest a little

Click to expand...

These 2 are absolutely to die for I think you need to point out to the manager when you talk to him that you didn't want to buy all those fish, but you couldn't fathom leaving them in those conditions, and by buying them you were saving their lives and you feel you should be given a discount (shoot for volume if nothing else, Lol). Tell him you'll no longer shop at his establishment (for anything) if you aren't satisfied with his response.

You're amazing Steph, taking home all those fish to care for (not to mention buying).

Linda