Visit to Lfs today

[kaz petts]

The first place I went to was a local garden centre which has an aquarium side to it also.
They have some really nice fish in here, I have to admit though I don't think they had done their rounds for a few days as in one of the tanks there were several dead fish and when I say several I am talking about a dozen possibly more. The girl who was on duty was aware of the situation and was netting them to remove them and she had put a sign up saying 'not yet for sale' so at least something was being done about this.
This particular place has some really nice fish in and normally look after them really well, so can you all imagine my disappointment when I came across a tank with some really beautiful tetras in which were pink and blue. (It was obvious to me that these poor creatures had been artificially coloured ). Then to further disappoint me was the fact that whilst I was there a couple bought 2 of these fish, I swear if the assistant hadn't been there I would have had a rant about how they were adding to the cruelty of these poor fish and many more like them by purchasing them and if they cared about fish they wouldn't even consider buying one in the first place. When I told my friend my concerns about these fish being dyed I just happened to say it loud enough for the couple to hear (all I can say if looks could kill I would have been laid stone cold on the floor of this place because of the look she gave me!)
When I asked the assistant if the fish were natural colour she was totally honest and informed me that the colour was injected (obvious I know) and that she didn't agree with the process either but she still has to sell them and not argue as she would loose her job.

The second place I went to was purley an aquarium/pond/coldwater etc dealer and have a really good reputation from where I come from. I went to have a look at their tropical fish. I was disappointed straight away to find 2 male bettas in the same tank . To be honest there was a little bit of chasing going on but no flaring or fighting but that wouldn't have been long down the line I don't think. I had a look around this place and decided to but some fish from here, there tanks were spotless and there were no dead fish to be seen. Whilst I was being served I asked the assistant (politely I hasten to add) why there were 2 male bettas in the same tank. He looked astonished and told me that they can sometimes get over or under the dividers, I told him that I couldn't see a divider in that particular tank. He immediatly asked me to show him which tank they were in, he then went to get a net and netted one of the bettas and moved it into the tank above with some other fish but no male fighters.

At least in the second shop something was done straight away about a potential problem and in the first at least the assistant didn't agree with the process of dying fish unnatural colours.
Is there anything I can do about this particular centre selling such fish?

Sorry that the post is so long but I just had to tell someone who would care about these subjects, I can't tell the hubby as he couldn't care less about the fish thing!

 

[Gill]

I don't think there is anything you can do about them having the fish.

My Fave LFS had 2 lots of Dyed Fish in.

Pink Spotted(Magenta) Rams - They Were Called
And Berry Tetras.

He does not want to kill them, but explains to anyone who asks what they are. He did not ask for them, but they were Delivered in last Weeks shipment.

I found out that the rams were the ones that I bought. They have since died 1 Week after I got them. And the Loaches have Devoured them.

 

[Lateral Line]

Some people think it is great fun to watch bettas fighting. I have seen "customers" in an lfs take bettas from their small holding tanks and empty them into one of the larger tank for fun.

May not have been the guys fault.

 

[kaz petts]

Some people think it is great fun to watch bettas fighting. I have seen "customers" in an lfs take bettas from their small holding tanks and empty them into one of the larger tank for fun.

May not have been the guys fault.

I did not think for one second that any of the members of staff were at fault when it came to the 2 male bettas in the one tank. It is possible that 1 of them was hiding when the other was introduced into the tank or something on similar lines. The one he took out was only young, the other one was quite bigger, I have to say though that his tail was a little ragged but he was the one doing the chasing when there was any to see. Due to where the tank was I don't think it would have been any of the customers who had done it either. I think it was just one of those mistakes which happen sometimes but at least it was put right once it was pointed out to them, I mean he actually stopped serving me to put this matter right before continuing with my sale (not that I minded I would have preffered him to have done this anyway.)
Kaz