Naming And Shaming

[Davy]

Was in Pets At Home and saw they were selling this tank (see picture), I enquired as to the acuracy as it shows 5 orandas on the illustration on the front and holds 19 litres.

Was told by the "expert" that he had one the same (of course you do) with 5 in it and they were thriving.

The fish on sale in this place are always really unhealthy looking never buy fish here just bits and pieces for the tanks as its closer than my LFS but think Im gonna steer clear from now on.

 

[*Lucifer*]

i also went into a pets at home over the weekend and was told we couldnt buy coldwater fish untill the spring because they were hybernating? we wanted some gold fish.....

ive never been told that b4 in my ,life!!!!!!!!

will never listen to thier advice anyway but that took the biscuit!!!!!

 

[LucyHurst]

Lucifer, if they were pond fish for a pond you wanted then they were right, but if it was fancy goldfish or goldfish for an indoor tank... then, yea, thats mad!

That tank is another of those stupid little tanks that misslead people into putting a heap of fish in 5 gallons (acutally that tank is 3 gallons?) of water.. its very sad. Theres no way that womans 5 orandas were thriving, if they were thriving each one would be as big as that tank!

I absolutely refuse to buy fish in Pets at Home.

 

[lizjamie]

Yeah they have given me some bad advice to ( I refer back to a previous post when I was confused because they told me to feed my 2 fish one flake each every 2 days).
But the place I bought my 2nd fish had about 10 black moors in a TINY tank (maybe 5 gallons), one had a cloudy eye. I cant help thinking this is why my baby is now so ill.

 

[ron1]

I don't go there for live stock.You have bits of kids giving you advice that you know is rubbish straight away.As for that tank----it is far too small for the amount of fish on the picture---KEEP AWAY , KEEP AWAY

 

[Cheese Specialist]

Yeah they have given me some bad advice to ( I refer back to a previous post when I was confused because they told me to feed my 2 fish one flake each every 2 days).

IMO, that is pretty good advice although I am with you on the tank. I hear all kinds of nonsense from people in there but also have had some good info and fish from the one in Gateshead. You need to be able to sort the good from the bad and so it is not good for total beginers.

 

[lizjamie]

Really?
Not what I got told here!
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=121988

 

[Cheese Specialist]

Everyone thinks different about these things. Some people feed 3 times a day, some people feed once every 2 days.

The way I see it is that the water has to be as clean as possible (especially in an overstocked tank) and less food means less waste. Also, we cannot equate fish to us. They don't generate their own heat for example and so need less energy. They are very small and so are their stomachs, what seems a little to us is a lot to them. Feeding my fish once every 2 days keeps them active, they are always looking in the tank for food (and finding it in my setup) and everything is not handed to them on an er.... plate.

I have had all kinds of fish for a few years now (at one point I had 6 tanks, including discus that were young so fed more often ) and I, and they, have done ok. I don't feed as little as 1 flake but every 2-3 days I feed them and some of my fish are years old and have bred.

It is very easy to overfeed and that leads to untold problems, feeding less doesn't. Obviously they need food and nourishment and mine are fed all sorts but it is far better than to overfeed.

JMO

 

[OohFeeshy]

To quote from emails I've received from companies before...

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.

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.

They're about the smaller size of that tank. Mm, stunningly accurate info, eh? And its OK about the pathetic size, because it has a filter, which makes it all better

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

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.

About the 'Fairly Odd Parents Goldfish Bowl'. Um, anyone think Tetra missed some vital and very logical steps in their thinking...?

 

[seanc]

Not that I'm agreeing with the ridiculous stocking on the tank, but not all the pets at home staff are terrible. I'v been to the one in portsmouth a few times.. and at weekend/ evenings its alot of part time minimum wage workers who know precisley nothing, but I have seen a few of the older/more senior staff give out good advice. I'v seen some good shops give bad advice too... with the larger shops and chains it tends to be quite hit and miss, more miss at the busier times unfortunately.

 

[LucyHurst]

The Portsmouth one has got better i must admit.. i went in there last in... erm november i think, and the tanks all looked ok... except for the goldfish ones and the white betta i wanted had no fins i saw the cutest black moor in there, he was ttiiiinnnny but only had one eyes <--looked like that

 

[OohFeeshy]

The Portsmouth one has got better i must admit.. i went in there last in... erm november i think, and the tanks all looked ok... except for the goldfish ones and the white betta i wanted had no fins i saw the cutest black moor in there, he was ttiiiinnnny but only had one eyes <--looked like that

Mhmh.... What I'm not impressed with is the 'ooh, lets get more variety in!' thing... I went yesterday, they had oscars (which seem like they're going to be a regular import), and a label for a fire eel Mm, great choice since I'd estimate about 0% of their customers could properly house either. Or silver sharks...

 

[guppymad]

i went to a pets at home in stafford and they had 3 redtail cat fish(only at 3 inches) but i doubt any of the people that buy fish there know how to care for and how big they grow.

 

[PlecMama]

In the United States there is not a minimum size tank that fish can be kept in like in Europe.

...there's a minimum size in Europe? did anyone tell Europe?

 

[OohFeeshy]

In some parts there is, but just saying Europe is a tad of an overstatement...