Bad Advice

[cyprinut]

i had to walk out of pets@home before i started to fume at the weekend
all these parents and their 7-10 year old kids buying tiny tanks and large goldfish *shudder*

Look at the aquarium kits packaging. Last week I saw a 6.5 US gallon tank kit with 4 goldfish pictured in the tank on the box.

 

[Ethos]

Well, at least one of them new what they were talking about.

For sure. I think I'll be asking that person for advise from now on.

Lol

 

[Jules H-T]

Look at the aquarium kits packaging. Last week I saw a 6.5 US gallon tank kit with 4 goldfish pictured in the tank on the box.

That is a very good point indeed. Aquarium manufacturers should also shoulder some of the responsibility and put warnings if the tank isn't big enough for goldfish.

 

[OohFeeshy]

That is a very good point indeed. Aquarium manufacturers should also shoulder some of the responsibility and put warnings if the tank isn't big enough for goldfish.

Some email replys I have recieved. First, from Tetra. I beleive this is about the Fairly Odd Parents Goldfish Bowl.

Hello,

We suggest that people keep the goldfish in an aquarium. We also suggest
that people have 3 gallons of water per 1 inch of goldfish. Eventually
the customer will have to move the goldfish to a larger tank. It also
recommended the customer do a 50% water change once a week to keep the
water healthy for the fish. Water testing is a routine part of the care
of the fish.

Consumer Relations

Hello,



Tetra doesn’t recommend 100% water changes because of the stress on the fish. Anything over a 50% water change will remove beneficial bacteria. Also, moving the fish from the tank is too much stress on the fish.



Consumer Relations

^The tank doesn't have a filter, if I remember correctly.^

Hello,



In the United States there is not a minimum size tank that fish can be kept in like in Europe. It is common for people to have tanks as small as 2.5 gallon aquariums in their homes and offices. The directions for goldfish bowls are for one goldfish. As that one goldfish begins to grow, the instructions about having 3 gallons of water per 1 inch of goldfish will indicate a larger tank will be needed over time. The item description is just that, a description of the product while more detailed information can be found in the instructions and though the pet store.



Thank you

Consumer Relations

From the makers of the Biorb-

Many thanks for your feedback on your experiences with the biOrb aquariums, I am sorry to hear it didn’t quite meet your expectations.



The technical designers and customer support team supervisor at Reef One all have experience with fish, some having worked previously in aquatic stores etc., and do not wish to cause problems for ‘tank mates’. We recommend keeping between 3-4 goldfish in the 30L, and 4-8 in the 60L. I personally have found that our goldfish seem very happy and healthy in the biOrb aquariums.



The biOrb doesn’t scratch if treated carefully, and this is stressed in our information starter pack. As long as the media is placed in carefully, and the tank isn’t handled roughly or moved when full then it shouldn’t crack.



The filtration sponge only needs a quick swap over and partial water change once a month, this is quite good compared to some other filtration systems, and it is much more simple than it is made to sound on the link below. We do recommend washing the media etc before it is placed into the tank but it doesn’t need to be cleaned again afterwards, so therefore all a filter change entails is swapping the filter cartridge over and changing one third of the water – no ‘messy stuff’ involving removing the fish and cleaning the media again as mentioned in the link.



Once again thanks for your email,



Regards



Reef One

From Hagen-

Thank you for your recent email, the goldfish on the boxes are fancy goldfish and not the common species of goldfish that you are referring to. Fancy goldfish can grow up to 9cm long but this can take years and are more suited to aquariums than ponds as they are not as tolerant as common goldfish to extreme low water temperatures. We also ensure that our aquarium kits come with adequate filtration to help prevent the build of of toxins. Unfortunately many people still keep goldfish in just glass bowls without adequate filtration.

I hope the above information has helped to clarify any misunderstanding.

Assuring you of our best attention at all times.

Kind regards,

Customer Services

Dear Hannah,

I am the assistant to the veterinary advisor here at Rolf C Hagen (UK) and due to the nature of your email our customer services department have brought your enquiry to my attention.

Fish size is dependant on many factors such as water quality, feeding and genetics. The size given by our customer services was based on an average. Their are so many fancy goldfish such as Veiltail's, Oranda's, Black Moor's Lionhead's, Tyukin's, Tosakin's etc so it is extremely difficult to put a set size to any breed or species. Our Elite tanks are designed as a basic set up for most first time fish keepers. Here at Hagen we have our own aquatic research facilities which is run by highly knowledgeable aquatic scientists and marine biologists and I must assure you that we would not sell a product if we felt it posed a risk to animal health and wellbeing.

Other factors which effect stocking densities is not just the size of the aquarium but also the quality of filtration. Unfortunately their are many starter kits on the market that do not provide an adequate filtration system. Here at Hagen we always ensure that all aquarium starter kits have the basic accessories for the novice fishkeeper.

I hope this clarifies any misunderstanding.

Regards,

Angelique Christian
Assistant to the Veterinary Advisor

Thats all I can find for now. Well, what a load of cr*p is all I can say

 

[Bloo]

oooo who's been a busy girl ?

Good on you for taking it up

 

[qwikimpss]

quote]The technical designers and customer support team supervisor at Reef One all have experience with fish, some having worked previously in aquatic stores etc., and do not wish to cause problems for ‘tank mates’. We recommend keeping between 3-4 goldfish in the 30L, and 4-8 in the 60L. I personally have found that our goldfish seem very happy and healthy in the biOrb aquariums. [/quote]

HOLY CRAP!!!
I feel smart compared to them, and they make a lot more money than I do!

 

[OohFeeshy]

oooo who's been a busy girl ?

Good on you for taking it up

Most of those were quite a while ago, I also do it with Ebay sellers but they get all narked and threaten to get their solicitors involved Most of the companies seem to ignore me now though, but when I've got some free time I'll do a bit more emailing.

 

[catxx]

i say we all go and get jobs at the above companies and flip them upside down.

down with goldfish on the front of tiny tank boxes!!!

 

[jungle king]

A rough mesure ment of my oldest goldfish is from the d key to the far edge of enter if he was in a biorb it would be rolling about cause he has managed to break two ornaments