When fish come from bad background...

When fish come from a bad background or bad start in life do you think they're destined to be weaker forever???

I got chili rasbora months ago, came to me in bad condition (posted... never again!) Has fluffy stuff growing on them. Raggy tails, lumps on them.
Lost a few over the first 2-3 weeks.
Deaths stopped.
But seems like they just aren't as healthy as other fish I have.

I always feel like I'm failing with them for some reason.

 

It is hard as you never know the story in regards to age and care. Yes, it is like with ever living being, bad food, bad childhood, bad environment, it all stays with us forever, and has impact on our life.
I think it is commendable that you took them on and got them through the rough patch in life.
They may be weaker, but that won't stop them from living the best life possible.

 

Chili rasboras are an increasingly popular fish due to size so a lot get kept with shrimp, which are also increasingly popular. I have noticed we can hardly find them in my area, and sometines quite tough to find online. So definitely not surprised some come pretty messed up. Hardly seems fair but that is a truth of it.

 

Those Rassies probably came from the same bloodline, several generations of that same bloodline and genetically they are basically washed out.

If someone going out to get money from breeding fish, they do not always have the room, finances or the basic knowledge/desire to do it right. A handful of pairs by chance from possibly the same parents, breed and breed and breed them.....siblings, cousins...doesn't matter, the more times they get fry, the kerching goes into the bank account.

The fact that they are weaker, more prone to illness, not so well coloured up....interbreeding, dilution of the gene pool to within an inch of a puddle.

Disreputable, inexperienced and cruel breeding to get cash.....these people care not a jot about the health or welfare of their fish or the heartbreak it causes to new owners, all they are interested in is the money.

 

I just feel like I am failing with the chili.
I was going to put them in a bigger tank once its cycled with my Ember Tetra but I think I will keep them on their own for the time they are alive.
1 has a teeny white thing on the front of its nose past couple days. Still eating. Still active.
Keeping it clean but I just have 1 problem after another with them in the months I've owned them.

.....these people care not a jot about the health or welfare of their fish or the heartbreak it causes to new owners, all they are interested in is the money.

I am beginning to think most of the aquarium trade is like this.

Or maybe I am too picky. I have yet to go into a place where they dont have dead or ill fish on display.
I am yet to buy fish that dont have any signs of illness or damaged fins etc on them once I get them home and settled.

I was in a place at the weekend, I wanted peppered cory, in the tank there was 4 dead fish and 1 gourami looking in a bad way.

I get that they die, but when staff are stood round chatting surely there is time to keep displays right?!

 

I don't buy my fish "in person", mine are chosen online by a reputable breeder/supplier who can certainly vouch for their own husbandry and their external suppliers husbandry.

You will never be 100% safe from fish that have issues but with the right recommendations, asking the right questions of a supplier and building a good relationship with a supplier you can get very close to perfect...maybe 90% perfect.

Initially I was caught out by a glossy website and pretty pictures of fish....only to find that the pictures were generic from the internet and the fish sent out were either on their last fins or DOA.

As with everything you learn, often the hard way, what to look for, who to trust and who you can ask those awkward questions such as "please can I see real time date stamped photo's of your facility" or "can I see copies of your licence/local council husbandry reports" and so forth.

Doing your homework won't guarantee success but it certainly goes a long way towards it. Once the virus is dealt with more of the proper suppliers will allow you to visit (mine doesn't currently but should do later this month) others will invite you to visit and see their facility.

Also make sure that little details are there before buying such as their DOA policy...choose one with a written 7-10 day or more guarantee that the fish will not only arrive alive and well but they cover you for at least a week to 10 days afterwards to give the fish time to settle in and show any issues.

The same goes with the "walk in" stores....by law in most countries they should have their husbandry certificates on show, if not you can ask to see them...if they are hesitant, walk out the door and go see the local council and ask them for the current status of that supplier.

If you see dead or dying fish...walk out the door, report it to the local council. Failing to report it just means they will carry on exercising bad husbandry. Report it and they will get inspected, they will be given strict guidelines, they will get checked on a regular basis and if things do not improve within a set time, that supplier is shut down. The onus is on the customer to report what is happening.

Walk in stores should also have a minimum 7-10 day DOA policy in writing, if they don't, walk out the door.

Doesn't matter where you are in the world if you see bad husbandry then report it otherwise that supplier will continue doing it again and again and again.

Make a fuss, report issues like the Chilli's....as a customer/owner you are their voice. Any other industry where you see bad practice you would report it immediately...so why not aquatic livestock?