MissMTS

I walked into my regular LFS today and to my horror I saw three tanks full of dyed and tatooed fish. They were white skirt tetras, mollies, and blood parrots. Some of them even had things like I Love You grotesquely written into their sides!!! I was so nauseated I had to leave the store and I don't plan on shopping there again.

I was talking to my husband on the car ride home and said that I felt like writing the store a letter explaining why they just lost me as a customer. My husband told me that he thought it was a nice gesture, but that if people are buying those fish, it probably will not make a difference. The store will continue selling them as long as there is a market for them.

I told my husband that I felt so sorry for these poor fish.....especially because no educated fish keeper is going to buy dyed fish. The only people who will buy them are inexperienced consumers who just think of fish as ornaments. They will probably die early due to diseases that result not only from the dying process, but from overcrowding and insufficient care.

My husband made the following point:
If the store is going to carry the fish regardless, and the fish will probably go to homes where they know nothing buy neglect, wouldn't we be doing the fish a favor by adopting these poor fish and giving them the best homes possible for the rest of their lives- no matter how short they may be.

I am not sure what to think of this. I would in no way want to encourage this horrific treatment of fish by purchasing them, but I understand my husband's point. I thought I would share this with all of you and see what you think. I know that we all disagree with dying and tatooing fish and we all agree that it is a horrible thing, but what about caring for the poor fish that are subjected to this treatment? I am interested to hear your thoughts.

Lucy

I've never seen tatooed fish and hope I never do.

It's a catch 22 situation. You buy all the fish to care for them, the store orders more. As long as people buy them, the store will carry them. The key is educating the consumer and/or the fish store of this inhumane treatment.

I would let them know exactly why I stopping shopping there.

I'm sorry you had to witness such a horrible thing.

MissMTS

I was so horrified by it and hope that I never see it again. The sad thing is that I am now down to 1 LFS because all the rest sell dyed fish. The situation is frustrating because I just feel so bad for the fish!

Amanda

It's a double-edged sword. If you don't buy the fish, someone who doesn't know what a dyed fish means will. But if you DO buy the fish, then you're supporting a cruel trade. It is true that the store will continue to sell the fish - have you thought about making up a petition about the issue? Maybe go to a local newspaper & explain to them the story and what buying dyed fish means? If more people realize what a cruel trade this is; and the store starts to get bad publicity - then they may begin to stop stocking as many of them. Good luck! Never stay silent when there is a chance that you can make change.

Coryd55

Yell at the manager. That always works....

Just kidding, just talk to management and see what they say. Explain the process to them. And be sure to remind them that they are losing a customer forever.

MissMTS

The owner works in the store almost every day. I saw him there today, but did not want to make a scene with a store packed with people. I figured I at least owe it to him, to bring it up privately first and see if he is responsive to my concerns. I also want to go in there prepared with information printed out for him to read over. I think that is a more professional way to go about it. If he doesn't seem to want to change his ways, I would probably consider taking it to a higher level.

COBettaCouple

If they don't want to listen and continue to order more tortured fish I'd let them know that you are a fishkeeper that spends good money every month on fish supplies, etc and for the little bit of profit that they'll make on the tortured fish that don't die before being sold, they can count on none of your business or any of your fishkeeping friends.