Just very depressing

I walked into PetSmart yesterday because I needed a new thermometer. Walked by the tanks and saw 5 dead fish in 1 tank. A couple of them were there so long that the other fish had started to eat them. I also hate how they put some Betta in blue water. Why? I was actually surprised by the condition of the Betta though. They were all alive and seemed to be doing good. The cups ( ) were pretty clean too. So that's a plus I guess. The Petco near me is also pretty good at keeping the tanks clean to. There might be some hope.

 

I walked into PetSmart yesterday because I needed a new thermometer. Walked by the tanks and saw 5 dead fish in 1 tank. A couple of them were there so long that the other fish had started to eat them. I also hate how they put some Betta in blue water. Why? I was actually surprised by the condition of the Betta though. They were all alive and seemed to be doing good. The cups ( ) were pretty clean too. So that's a plus I guess. The Petco near me is also pretty good at keeping the tanks clean to. There might be some hope.

The blue was probably a medication, actually a good think so long as they are still changing the water which can be iffy at any store

 

The blue was probably a medication, actually a good think so long as they are still changing the water which can be iffy at any store

Wow I didn't know that. But if they were on any medication shouldn't they be off the shelf so that people don't buy sick fish? I know this is Petco or PetSmart we're talking about but they gotta draw the line somewhere..

 

You could always ask the workers about the blue water, I did once. I forget the answer - it was either the water they were shipped in, or water they were put in after they arrived to help them recover* from shipping. Something like that, I forget exactly

 

I always hate going to pet stores because it’s sad to see how mistreated the animals are and the fact that I can’t save them all
I went to petsmart on Saturday and there was this beautiful betta fish, but it was clear that he had swim bladder disease. I wish I could save him but I don’t have the time or space for another tank.

 

Welcome to the cold reality of capitalism in petkeeping.

I think it's necessary for all of us to be confronted with these things at one point so we can appreciate our tanks and fish even more and have motivation to do everything for the animals in our care they need for a healthy and stress free life.

Just one thing to remember: Don't ever "rescue" a fish by buying it. It will only show up in the shops numbers as a demand and they will order in more.

Exception: Clearing sales when a store closes down for good.

 

Why the blue water!?! | Betta Fish 25552

 

I've reduced the demand for fish by keeping the same ones for 25 years.

 

I've reduced the demand for fish by keeping the same ones for 25 years.

I wish everyone kept clown loaches like you do!

 

I wish everyone kept clown loaches like you do!

Yet I am very out of date!

My equipment dates from the purchase of my fish.

Undergravel filters, fluorescent tubes, 1970 aquarium etc.

 

Shsssh. Don’t tell the fish that!

 

You could always ask the workers about the blue water, I did once. I forget the answer - it was either the water they were shipped in, or water they were put in after they arrived to help them "de-tox" from shipping. Something like that, I forget exactly

In defense of big box employees (as a former employee of a big box) - they're struggling to keep processed food on their tables. They're taught how to give out 'pat' answers and responses.

 

In defense of big box employees (as a former employee of a big box) - they're struggling to keep processed food on their tables. They're taught how to give out 'pat' answers and responses.

I wasn’t attacking them? I was just contributing what I vaguely remembered of the topic?

 

I wasn’t attacking them? I was just contributing what I vaguely remembered of the topic?

Sorry. Having been an emplyee in the past of a big box, I get a bit self-centered. I was instructed how to legally lie or how to avoid telling lies. I want to separate the perception of the big box from the employee. Sad, isn't it?

 

Sorry. Having been an emplyee in the past of a big box, I get a bit self-centered. I was instructed how to legally lie or how to avoid telling lies. I want to separate the perception of the big box from the employee. Sad, isn't it?

That is a shame, but unfortunately the harsh reality. As stated before, it’s all about the $$$

 

Why the blue water!?! | Betta Fish 25552

Yeah it's probably Methylene Blue. It helps o2 intake through the gills, is an antiseptic and antifugal. Also boots immune, so not a bad thing per se, but daily water changes is all that's needed. Also even with Mblue, you have to change 1/3 of the water daily and redose for water removed, so idk if they are doing that Sounds like maybe they are selling them in the water they are shipped in?

 

I always hate going to pet stores because it’s sad to see how mistreated the animals are and the fact that I can’t save them all
I went to petsmart on Saturday and there was this beautiful betta fish, but it was clear that he had swim bladder disease. I wish I could save him but I don’t have the time or space for another tank.

Buy a 5 gallon bucket

 

You could always ask the workers about the blue water, I did once. I forget the answer - it was either the water they were shipped in, or water they were put in after they arrived to help them recover* from shipping. Something like that, I forget exactly

It’s the water they are shipped in...basically it has stuff in it that is supposed to help with the stress of shipping and preventing any disease that may result from that stress.

So blue water means that they have recently arrived at the store and therefore are likely to be in better condition.

 

Even when big box stores make terrible mistakes like this we do have to cut them some slack.


That is a leopard puffer not a pea and yes, it was mercilessly tearing up the other fish.

The thing we have to remember is that Big Box are the way they are because of their market position (sell all pets and supplies and sell them cheap to as many people as possible, all while not being driven out of business by Amazon). They cannot do a good job across the chain with this aim.

The good thing about them is that they are very accessible with their customer free fish section and 1 employee there for immediate answers for anyone who actually comes in. No one is intimidated by going to one so they are often people's first point of contact when entering the hobby.
I imagine my LFS can be very intimidating for first timers.

After the new people are in the hobby we show them all that the hobby has to offer beyond the big box. The big box stores give us people who will enjoy the hobby with us for years to come.