Interesting trip to Petco

Was at the local Petco today talking to the employee in aquatics. Told him i kind of wanted a new betta but didn't know where i was going to set up another 10g. He said, "THANK YOU!!! You know how hard it is to convince people that just because they are in those little cups they really do need more room?"

 

I went to petsmart when they were training new people in the fish section and she actually told them that 5g was the absolute MAX size for bettas because they prefer 1-2 gallon tanks. I have no hope for the poor bettas in that store.

 

Was at the local Petco today talking to the employee in aquatics. Told him i kind of wanted a new betta but didn't know where i was going to set up another 10g. He said, "THANK YOU!!! You know how hard it is to convince people that just because they are in those little cups they really do need more room?"

I’ve had so many people question why they can’t just keep the betta in the cup. They also ask why we sell 1 gallon bowls if I say they’re inadequate for fish. *TRIGGERED*

Same goes for the common plecos and Bala sharks kept in the 10 gallon display tanks.

I went to petsmart when they were training new people in the fish section and she actually told them that 5g was the absolute MAX size for bettas because they prefer 1-2 gallon tanks. I have no hope for the poor bettas in that store.

Most pet stores (not just big box) don’t train their employees how to take care of the animals; they just train them how to do their job. I’m surprised that mentor said anything at all.

 

For shame YUCK big chain stores I try to support the little man

 

Yeah, chain stores mostly just teach workers how to sell the fish. Not how to keep it happy. The other day I overheard someone telling a customer that 2 Rainbow Sharks can be happy in a 10 gallon with other fish. I had to pull that customer aside and be like “that’s HORRIBLE advice” it’s so sad

 

My local PetCo has like 3 people who work in the aquatics section. One guy has like 4 tanks and tells people that plecos get huge and bettas need tanks. I've heard some horror stories about other PetCo's though.

 

I’m 12 right now and when I’m old enough to get a job at Petco or petsmart, I’m going to actually teach people about fish instead of just trying to sell stuff.

 

Completely agree!!!
I hate how bettas (and most fish at my LFS) are treated as an accessory rather than an animal. we need to stop selling them in containers and instead put them in proper tanks!!