Is My Walmart Stopping Fish Sales?

This was put up about 2 weeks ago. First the sale sign, then the expanding selection sign, then the sick fish sign. They haven't had Bettas for a month or so.

The fish are almost all gone now. They appear to have stopped cleaning the tanks, you can hardly see in them anymore (not that they were all that clean to begin with, but I saw relatively few dead fish compared to some places).
Am I correct that they're about to stop selling fish? This would be the third time in the last 25 years that fish have come and gone in our store. My guess is our population just isn't big enough to buy fish in profitable amounts (there are 8000 people here). I also suspect the person who was caring for them has left and the new person cares even less. The quality of all fish, especially Bettas, quickly declined a few months ago. I can't tell you the number of times I walked around the store with a Betta or two in my cart, wishing I could do something, eventually having to put them back and wish them luck.
Looks like people will have to start driving an hour for fish stuff. Even in that town, there's no options except a small and sad PetSmart and a relatively nice Petco.
I can't decide if I'm relieved or not. I guess I am, for the sake of the fish, but it's been nice to see some fish in person besides my own. I admit I did smile though upon seeing the sign, knowing that a few less fish will have to go through the stereotypical Walmart experience.

I should note that all 3 signs have been up for a month now.

 

Well this is a surprise for me. It is possible that your Walmart will stop carrying fish from now on.

 

Well this is a surprise for me. It is possible that your Walmart will stop carrying fish from now on.

Fingers crossed it does.

 

Yeah, all walmarts plan to stop carrying fish.

 

Yeah, all walmarts plan to stop carrying fish.

Oh really?

 

Yeah, all walmarts plan to stop carrying fish.

That's great

 

I doubt they are stopping. Probably just doing remods in that particular store. They just done it to our walmart by me.

 

Hopefully they do quit. A grocery store should not be selling fish and they obviously are unable to properly care for them.

Yeah, all walmarts plan to stop carrying fish.

Do you have any sources on this? I’d love to read up on it!

 

I seriously can't remember the last Walmart I was in that had fish for sale.

 

Umm the one by me does. Just picked up an angelfish from them. I might add it's a very healthy fish also. Not all Wal-Mart's are the same. Just like all the pet stores being the same. Some take better care of their animals than others. I'm telling ya, they might just be remodeling that store. They sold all the fish here, remodeled then brought them back. Just ask them if they are or not.

 

Mine says the same thing but not that they are sick just all fish half off due to an “expansion” of their fish section. I’ll believe it when I see it. As long as they have a full time worker in the fish section I don’t see a problem with it but if not I think they should just do away with it.

 

The Walmart near me actually takes insanely good care of their tanks. There's an older spanish fellow who clearly takes pride in taking care of the tanks. The tanks are always spotless, I've never seen a dead fish in any tanks. Never noticed diseased fish. Anytime I'm passing the fish section he comes out to tell me about all the new fish he's bringing in and which fish are selling and on and on. He's even special ordered some harlequin rasboras for me before.

It all depends on the person who's working that department. When it come to Walmart employees some will care, most won't though.

 

The Walmart near me actually takes insanely good care of their tanks. There's an older spanish fellow who clearly takes pride in taking care of the tanks. The tanks are always spotless, I've never seen a dead fish in any tanks. Never noticed diseased fish. Anytime I'm passing the fish section he comes out to tell me about all the new fish he's bringing in and which fish are selling and on and on. He's even special ordered some harlequin rasboras for me before.

It all depends on the person who's working that department. When it come to Walmart employees some will care, most won't though.

That’s great you should post a pic of your Walmart’s fish section! Maybe take a pic with the Spanish fellow there too! Lol I wish ours did that well. If I could do it I would. I hope after this (expansion) they find someone who will care for the fish better. It’s sad seeing them all in crummy tanks.

 

i've heard from my local fishkeepers group that they plan to get all live fish out by july. it's such a relief tbh. they will probably still carry fish supplies.

on a slightly unrelated note, my walmart's gotten some really pretty bettas in recently. but no one takes care of them properly.

 

I saw the same at my local Walmart. I saw it late. All fish I would of gotten were already taken

 

Hopefully they do quit. A grocery store should not be selling fish and they obviously are unable to properly care for them.


Do you have any sources on this? I’d love to read up on it!

Go ask your local walmart manager lol

 

Go ask your local walmart manager lol

Oh lol. I did look it up and there’s a reddit with a fair amount of employees saying the same thing, so hopefully it’ll really happen. I don’t know why they even thought it was a good idea to being with though...

 

we have atleast 1 new Walmart in my area that was built without any fish tanks, they did have pet supplies, but no live fish.

I have 6 Super Walmarts and 2 Neighborhood Walmarts within 10 miles of my house.

 

Umm the one by me does. Just picked up an angelfish from them. I might add it's a very healthy fish also. Not all Wal-Mart's are the same. Just like all the pet stores being the same. Some take better care of their animals than others. I'm telling ya, they might just be remodeling that store. They sold all the fish here, remodeled then brought them back. Just ask them if they are or not.

I have to agree with that.
I think I have 1 actual mom and pop pet store around me, and they suck. The fish I’ve bought from there die before I’m done medicating them from god knows what. And most the pet stores I go to, have sick fish.
They probably hate me by now because when I see a fish with ich, I always ask for the manager and make them deal with it.
So long story short, even stores dedicated to pets, keep fish improperly. And even hobbyist who turned it into a job, don’t keep their fish properly.
Think of how fast fish sell, and how much it would cost to medicate them all. They’re not gunna throw money at fish. Irresponsible, and sickening, but completely true. Walmart isn’t the only irresponsible fish seller.

 

I do have walmarts and a few lfs that don't care for their fish. But I don't group them all the same because they aren't. At least not around here. But you can ask some one at the store if they are planning on keeping the fish or not, they will tell you. If they know. But a lot of the walmarts have been doing remods and removing old tanks replacing them with the newer ones. It seems it's only the super stores though. Our small one here got rid of their live fish, but not the super store.

 

we have atleast 1 new Walmart in my area that was built without any fish tanks, they did have pet supplies, but no live fish.

I have 6 Super Walmarts and 2 Neighborhood Walmarts within 10 miles of my house.

Wow! Lol

 

Have you not watched south park? Wal-Mart is evil.

 

No walmart by me carry fish, haven't done so in a long time

Wow! Lol

WOWWIE, That's an insane amount of walmarts!

 

we have atleast 1 new Walmart in my area that was built without any fish tanks, they did have pet supplies, but no live fish.

I have 6 Super Walmarts and 2 Neighborhood Walmarts within 10 miles of my house.

I find this hard to believe. Not all within 10 miles lol. Or even 20 miles. Just sayin lolol.

 

I find this hard to believe. Not all within 10 miles lol. Or even 20 miles. Just sayin lolol.

Well he lives in Houston so it could be possible.

 

my zip code is 77493 if you want to plug it into the walmart store locator.

 

The Walmart near me actually takes insanely good care of their tanks. There's an older spanish fellow who clearly takes pride in taking care of the tanks. The tanks are always spotless, I've never seen a dead fish in any tanks. Never noticed diseased fish. Anytime I'm passing the fish section he comes out to tell me about all the new fish he's bringing in and which fish are selling and on and on. He's even special ordered some harlequin rasboras for me before.

It all depends on the person who's working that department. When it come to Walmart employees some will care, most won't though.

I totally agree! Unfortunately the Walmart near me does not take good care of their fish. This is the only Walmart within a 30 mile radius that has a fish section, and I haven’t been there since I went down to speak to the manager about the way they appear to have no knowledge about what fish are compatible with each other (rescued a tailless and finless albino cory and a month later 2 silver dollars that were in even worse shape). This thread has sparked my curiosity, so I’ll be going to this Walmart to see if they are closing their fish section!

 

we have atleast 1 new Walmart in my area that was built without any fish tanks, they did have pet supplies, but no live fish.

I have 6 Super Walmarts and 2 Neighborhood Walmarts within 10 miles of my house.

That is crazy! My closest Walmart is 35 minutes away.

 

I find this hard to believe. Not all within 10 miles lol. Or even 20 miles. Just sayin lolol.

I plugged in my address in google maps and counted 27 walmarts (both regular & markets) within 10 miles of me there is no shortage of walmarts in texas

 

I plugged in my address in google maps and counted 27 walmarts (both regular & markets) within 10 miles of me there is no shortage of walmarts in texas