Just To Share.

[Clbrtwewill]

Someone I know is giving fish away after losing most of his tank to ich after the introduction of new fish from Petsmart. He is giving two blue gouramis to a friend with a three gallon tank; each gourami is only 1.5" and "will only grow according to the size of their tank parameters." I tried to tell him that this is a really bad idea because of the potential for them to grow, if they even can because of the lack of filtration and experience their new owner is going to have.

It's just very frustrating because I offered them a home (for now in a ten gallon quarantine until I could make sure they've both passed the ich infection for sure). He got really defensive with me and told me that the "fish expert" at Petsmart told him that it is a suitable environment for them to live in a three gallon tank. I did the best I can but he's also had his fish for over a year and told me that he is really experienced in keeping fish.

That's not even something I'd claim and I've been at this for three years; look through my posting history... I've had plenty of questions and challenges on the way here but I've got a couple of really well established tanks now and haven't lost any fish since the last batch I took in from someone that didn't want theirs anymore.

I just wish there's something I could do about this =(

 

[fatheadminnow]

Sorry to hear about that.

-FHM

 

[aussieant32]

it does suck, in defence of the pet shop fish guys they are more than likely told to just sell fish and purposly hire people with little background knowledge on fish, ie constantly hearing "Yer fill it up and come back in the morning for the fish"

You did what you could, shame no one listened, funny one about the experienced fish keeper lol, i have been at it for 15 years and I endless things to learn!!

Ah well, top stuff taking other fish in though, i need someone in Sydney to take 3 fish in for me but have no luck!

 

[Clbrtwewill]

it does suck, in defence of the pet shop fish guys they are more than likely told to just sell fish and purposly hire people with little background knowledge on fish, ie constantly hearing "Yer fill it up and come back in the morning for the fish"

You did what you could, shame no one listened, funny one about the experienced fish keeper lol, i have been at it for 15 years and I endless things to learn!!

Ah well, top stuff taking other fish in though, i need someone in Sydney to take 3 fish in for me but have no luck!

I just feel that if it's your job... there's a responsibility that comes with it really understand what you're doing rather than giving poor advice to customers. Especially when they end up regarding that poor advice as the standard to go by rather than doing their own research. He took the salesman's advice, whatever it was... introduction of ill fish killed off his entire tank and now those two are the only ones left.

This forum has really helped me in terms of having a knowledge base - I learned the hard way about cycling/etc, as well as ich.. not unlike what the person I know has experienced, actually at this point.

If you weren't on another continent I'd be more than happy to help you out!! Most of my fish at this point have come from friends that get fish, thinking its an easy task and either they get discouraged or lose interest. do you have anything like Freecycle or Craigslist? or a fish store that might take them as a donation potentially just to rehome them?

 

[Assaye]

I have a friend who has been keeping fish for maybe a year and hardly listens to me when I tell her that 6 gallons isn't enough for a 6 inch fish.

It's a shame but many people think "oh, they're just fish" and also don't like to be criticised.

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

I have a friend who has been keeping fish for maybe a year and hardly listens to me when I tell her that 6 gallons isn't enough for a 6 inch fish.

It's a shame but many people think "oh, they're just fish" and also don't like to be criticised.

Jeeze I can't even imagine how big (small) a 6 gallon tank is; I have a 8 or 9 gallon tank at the minute and there is no way I'd keep a 6 inch fish in it at ALL.

In response to something aussieant32 said about keeping fish for 15 years and still learning; me too; I've had fish for I think 16 years (goldfish) and I am now only learning about tropical fish; also so much has changed since I first got my fish; thankfully all my fish seem healthy and have lived for a long time so it's not like I go in the shops regularly but I am appaled at some of the shops now. Some of the staff don't even have a basic knowledge-at a minimum I think they should have this...