I hate pet stores sometimes

[ladynaoko]

I was at the pet store today getting guinea pig stuff and I decided to have a look at the fish they had there.

Nearly every tank had dead fish in it - no recently dead, a load of them were more than half eaten. What makes it worse was that they were still selling the fish in the same tanks and didn't even notice the mass of dead fish at the bottom.

I seriously hate buying from there but they sell the only food my guineas will eat.. while I was there they also sold this kid (could have only been 16) 2 common plecos and a couple of angels...didn't even bother asking about his tank. I hope that kid has one hell of a big tank..

 

[drobbins27]

 

[ooSho]

Places like that make me sick!

 

[heresmike]

Yes that makes me very sad to see that fish get treated (mis-treated) that way.

Did you point out the dead fish to anybody working there? I always do, in hopes that they'll catch on and be a bit more proactive. If they don't seem to care, I ask to speak to the manager. That usually gets them moving.

 

[Magnolia_360]

I just came from Walmart where I bought my lyretail guppy and they had a bunch of dead fish in their tanks and some of them were skeletons because they've been dead for so long. I told the lady though.

 

[billy61788]

you know its sad when the walmart tanks are taken care of better then the petco ones. Its discusting there, thats why i usually stick with petsmart...clean friendly and so much cheaper.

 

[Tempestuousfury]

I agree with the last comment.

A good way to get businesses to shape up is to make a big show when you see dead fish and none of the associates will help. The BBB is also a way to get them to shape up, though I believe it's more people oriented...

 

[heresmike]

The BBB is also a way to get them to shape up,

What is the BBB?

 

[modernhamlet]

you know its sad when the walmart tanks are taken care of better then the petco ones. Its discusting there, thats why i usually stick with petsmart...clean friendly and so much cheaper.

While my Petsmart does generally keep reasonably clean tanks and usually cleans its dead fish out daily (always a few), the quality of the stock they get in is low. The 5 Harlequin Rasboras I got from them a were complete fiasco. I added them to a tank with 5 Harlequins I got from the real "local" LFS. 3 of the Petsmart ones died within a week and the other two are in my quarentine tank now. The 5 from the LFS are still doing ok so far, but I'm worried that they may have caught something from them. I will never buy fish from Petsmart again. I'd rather pay a little extra and know I'm getting a good rasbora.

 

[Cali]

The BBB is also a way to get them to shape up,

What is the BBB?

The Better Business Bureau. It's good to become familiar with them.

 

[heresmike]

I dream of a world where PetsMart, Petco, and WalMart (and other similar places) are not allowed to sell fish.

After having so many problems with Petsmart/Petco fish, I searched for a fish only store, and finally found one that I totally trust. I've bought my fish in several stages, never quarantined any of them, and have never had a problem with any of them.

Please, please, please... the rest of you please do the same. Take the time to find a good fish store in your area, and only buy from them! Even if you have to drive an hour like I do!!

*stepping down from my soapbox now*

 

[drobbins27]

Good advice

 

[heresmike]

The Better Business Bureau. It's good to become familiar with them.

I thought of that after I posted... but didn't know it existed anymore as it's been so long since I've heard mention of it!!

 

[Annastasia]

I dream of a world where PetsMart, Petco, and WalMart (and other similar places) are not allowed to sell fish.

After having so many problems with Petsmart/Petco fish, I searched for a fish only store, and finally found one that I totally trust. I've bought my fish in several stages, never quarantined any of them, and have never had a problem with any of them.

Please, please, please... the rest of you please do the same. Take the time to find a good fish store in your area, and only buy from them! Even if you have to drive an hour like I do!!

*stepping down from my soapbox now*

I agree with you. I guess I am pretty lucky. I have 3 high quality fish stores within 30 minutes from my house. I haven't really ever gotten a bad fish from them.
I like Petsmart for food and supplies and stuff, because it is so much cheaper then my lfs, but I don't like their fish at all. They keep the tanks clean and healthy, but I bought a betta from there once, and it died that night. My friend has also had a bad encounter with them. She bought some fish there, and they died before she even got home! That is pretty bad.

Okay, I am done!
Just had to get that out of my system!

 

[heresmike]

Annastasia... thanks for your comment.

A little off topic... is that your betta? It's beautiful! I've never been much of a fan, but that pic might inspire me!