Selling fish to someone with no tank?

Hey guys,

I have an interesting situation at hand. I am looking to get rid of my bristlenose pleco and put up an ad for local pick up. Unfortunately I've gotten one bite so far from a guy with no tank set up.

My ad was very specific, as this guy is pretty territorial and I don't want him housed with fish he may attack.

My question is how would you go about handling this situation? Would you tell him to set up a tank, and educate on him on the reasons a tank needs to be established before you're willing to give him the fish? Maybe explain the nitrogen cycle, ask him to study it further, set up his tank and contact you in x number of weeks for the pleco? Or just tell him that since he doesn't fit the ads description (I mentioned needing a pre-established 30+ gallon aquarium if interested) decline the offer all together?

I don't want to seem like a jerk, but if I wanted my pleco to go to just anyone I could drop him off at Petco and let them give him to whoever - I want to assure he goes to a good home, which is why I'm looking for one for him, myself.

 

I wouldn't pull any punches. No cycled healthy tank, no fish.

Of course there's always a way to say just that but say it politely; "I really appreciate your kind offer to take my fish, but I would really prefer he go to someone with a cycled healthy tank already set up."

 

I know you mentioned about being specific about territorial issues etc but was your ad specific about tank set up?
If not ( or so ) I would just reiterate that fact and just politely say you want to make sure that the pleco goes to someone who is aware of all of this. You may want to further qualify him ( on the phone or email ) just to get a feel on if he knows the nitrogen cycle etc. I am sure you will be able to tell just by talking with him.
Believe it or not, I have called several ads before and the people selling the fish/tank etc had no clue about taking care of fish ( You can tell by just talking with them )

Hopefully you will find someone to take good care of your pleco

 

I know you mentioned about being specific about territorial issues etc but was your ad specific about tank set up?
If not ( or so ) I would just reiterate that fact and just politely say you want to make sure that the pleco goes to someone who is aware of all of this. You may want to further qualify him ( on the phone or email ) just to get a feel on if he knows the nitrogen cycle etc. I am sure you will be able to tell just by talking with him.
Believe it or not, I have called several ads before and the people selling the fish/tank etc had no clue about taking care of fish ( You can tell by just talking with them )

Hopefully you will find someone to take good care of your pleco

This was the ad:

Young male bristlenose pleco available to interested party.
Must have proper housing previously established, and know proper care.

Can work with someone new to care of bn plecos WILLING TO LEARN.

EXTREMELY FOOD AGGRESSIVE, not good for a tank with other algae eaters (including non-bottom feeders.)

Available for pick up only - Dedham, MA. Bring something for transport.

Enjoys algae wafers. LOVES carrots.

Please contact with current and planned stock. Not available to anyone planning to house him with tank mates he has previously attacked.


Thank you for your interest.

And attached poster:

 

Well it sounds like you spelled it out perfectly. Too bad the person didn't understand!

 

"Thank you for your interest. After some discussion we've decided it would be best to stick with our original plan to find someone with a pre-established and cycled tank for him to go into. Catfish types are very sensitive to ammonia, and adding him with no other fish in the tank yet would only encourage him to stake out the whole tank as his territory - which would be dangerous for any other fish you chose to add after the fact. He would not make an appropriate first fish for a tank due to his nature so we would really feel more comfortable finding him a home that's already stocked with some fish.

I apologize for all of the back and forth before this decision was made, hopefully you'll find something better suited for your plans."

Does this sound good?

 

Take the easy way out. Tell him you've already found a home for him. You don't even know this person. You shouldn't worry about what they'll think when you turn them down. I've given away different fish on freecycle before and have gone through the same thing.

Where are you posting your ad?

 

I posted it on ebay classifieds, as I already have an account there for my pet care service.

 

Your ad stated your needs perfectly. This person is obviously trying to slip thru the cracks.

 

Take the easy way out. Tell him you've already found a home for him. You don't even know this person. You shouldn't worry about what they'll think when you turn them down. I've given away different fish on freecycle before and have gone through the same thing.

Where are you posting your ad?

I like the idea of telling them no because they didn't follow the ad's requirements of "Established tank!" rather than saying you got another home.
Down side to lying, even with someone you don't know, is if the ad remains up, they may start to harass with "you said the fish was gone!" ... If they're trying to slip through the cracks, then be up front and honest with them. Honesty is the best policy!



tis my thoughts anyways...

 

Keep it simple and honest...

Thank you for your interest.
However, you do not meet the requirements outlined in the ad.

 

Keep it simple and honest...

Thank you for your interest.
However, you do not meet the requirements outlined in the ad.

that's all you need to tell him

 

Someone with a 75 gallon community tank is coming to pick him up on Sunday.

 

That's great!

 

Well, he never showed up so back to the drawing board.

 

That's aggravating!

 

That's aggravating!

Yup, he was supposed to come this afternoon. Around 4 pm I e-mailed him that the fish was waiting, caught and isolated ready to go and if he couldn't make it to please let me know.

Never heard anything back.

 

So I caved and dropped my pleco off at Petco. I explained to the guy there that I trust that I was wary to bring him in, as I didn't want a less experienced employee to hand him off to someone with a 10 gallon and no idea how to care for him.

To my surprise, he asked if he was healthy - I explained that he was and why I needed to get rid of him.
I filled him in on all the illnesses the tank had been through, and how he showed no symptoms of anything.

His response was that he was going to take him home. So now I know he's in good hands.

 

So I caved and dropped my pleco off at Petco. I explained to the guy there that I trust that I was wary to bring him in, as I didn't want a less experienced employee to hand him off to someone with a 10 gallon and no idea how to care for him.

To my surprise, he asked if he was healthy - I explained that he was and why I needed to get rid of him.
I filled him in on all the illnesses the tank had been through, and how he showed no symptoms of anything.

His response was that he was going to take him home. So now I know he's in good hands.

YAY for a happy ending!

 

That is so great! It sounds like a win-win for all.