LFS fish situation is bad

I went to my local pet store store today (well, one of them) and their fish situation was appalling. They had on average 3 dead fish per tank, and as you can imagine the other fish were feasting on those, which was just sooooo unsanitary (and unpleasant to watch). The worst was half of this poor dead fish' face had been eaten and he kind of flopped round against the lass from all the fish prodding and pushing him, giving me the worst fright. Oh, and there was this albino frog eating one of the dead fish while the fish were eating the frog. It was just awful.

And lots of female bettas kept in the same tank, as well as lots of males bettas each kept in tanks with random other species.

There were also black mollies with the worst and most obvious case of ich kept in the same tank as seemingly unaffected ones.

The worst thing is I genuinely think that one of the workers at least really cares. They probably don't know better and think it's normal?

 

Uh.....and which pet store is this? Petco? PetsMart? >

 

Well it's a Dutch one. It's a huuuge chain here. Discus. I've given up boycotting a chain or a store, as none have all I need, so I need to have a good relationship with all of them. What gets me is they obviously mean well. The shop assistant was a 17 y.o. who was clearly really motivated. He was really nice to the kids in the store, and very gentle with the fish. I guess they just don't know better, and it's not out of conscious negligence.

 

Ah....I see..you live in Europe.

 

Yep. Time difference's a pain!

 

Yes, it's morning right now. When I'm telling you good morning, you'd be telling me goodnight!

 

;D Yep, 7pm for me.

 

It's 11:14am for me right now. ;D

 

Seems like it's common for these big chain stores to treat fish as disposable merchandise. it almost makes me hate looking at the tanks - I love to look at fish, but hate to see how poorly cared for they are.

 

Yeah, am the same. But this one was really bad. Worst I've seen so far I think.

 

I went to my local pet store store today (well, one of them) and their fish situation was appalling. They had on average 3 dead fish per tank, and as you can imagine the other fish were feasting on those, which was just sooooo unsanitary (and unpleasant to watch). The worst was half of this poor dead fish' face had been eaten and he kind of flopped round against the lass from all the fish prodding and pushing him, giving me the worst fright. Oh, and there was this albino frog eating one of the dead fish while the fish were eating the frog. It was just awful.

And lots of female bettas kept in the same tank, as well as lots of males bettas each kept in tanks with random other species.

There were also black mollies with the worst and most obvious case of ich kept in the same tank as seemingly unaffected ones.

The worst thing is I genuinely think that one of the workers at least really cares. They probably don't know better and think it's normal?

Why didn't you just say something to someone about the condition and most of the stores I go to appciate the notice of dead/dieing/sick fish.

Seems like it's common for these big chain stores to treat fish as disposable merchandise. it almost makes me hate looking at the tanks - I love to look at fish, but hate to see how poorly cared for they are.

I don't really like the big chain stores but the Petland near me always has the best looking fish and if a tank is sick they don't turn on the lights so you can't see in since the surroundingarea is dark to bring out the color of the fish better.
Tom

 

Yeah, am the same. But this one was really bad. Worst I've seen so far I think.

it sounds like it..a rather depressing shop.

 

Yes, it was rather depressing... Gawd, that half-faced fish. That's the stuff of nightmares.

 

Why didn't you just say something to someone about the condition and most of the stores I go to appciate the notice of dead/dieing/sick fish.

It just wasn't right. You know how sometimes it's the moment, and sometimes it's not. It's always delicate to give feedback, and you have to be really diplomatic. The guy was completely swomped and it just wouldn't have been the good moment. The problem was so bad it's really not like there's a chance in a million he didn't notice the dead fish. When I go back, I can see if it's a better time, but there are just time when you should keep quiet and wait for a better opportunity.

 

Yes, it was rather depressing... Gawd, that half-faced fish. That's the stuff of nightmares.

yea, we see those a lot at our petco.. haven't been in there a while tho. and hopefully won't ever have to again, unless to get an emergency supply we don't have stocked but we're working on getting the fish cabinet totally stocked so petco can lose all of our business.