greengiant
07-30-2008, 12:23 AM
I was at Walmart today and as I always do when Im there I go see what they have for fish. while there I noticed a family picking out some fish. They where lookiing at the colors and such andnot the temperment. nobody from the store was anywhere near the pet department and they where wondering about the fish. they asked me if I knew anything and I said a bit. I helped them from makeing some beginner mistakes and also guided them to get the tank cycled a bit before adding fish for the best results. and also explained to them some of the size and temperment issues associated with what they where looking at. they came to a conclusion to get some guppys to start as they wanted fish in it right away and come back and get some mollys later. they where where feeling alot better about there decision and I kinda felt good to to help the fish have a fighting chance at survival. after about 20 min someone finally showed up to help them and they didnt have a clue about fish. the lady was actually from the Jewelry dept. and was sent over cause she was free. The poor fish took a beating and got hammered by the net and the decorations in the tank as well as basically no water in the bag. I left and got what I was looking for and before leaving I went back to the fish area. in the tank there where 4 floaters and 10 min earlier they where all fine. I checked out and when on my way out the family was outside looking at the fish and holding the bag up. they spotted me and asked me if the behavior was normal. 2 of the fish where in bad shape and I suggested they took them back as the stress they went through and the fact of how many where dead in the store when I went back sickened me. they took the fish back. Sad how when they wanted info to make a wise decision and followed it that there isn't even someone to train these people how to catch a fish. pushing a ornament and slamming it against the fish pinning them to the tank isnt how you catch them. on several occasions I have asked to catch them and show the employees how to not stress the fish. not much hope of adding new hobbiests when the fish don't even make it out of the store parking lot without dying. I hope they get some training for the staff soon. Ihave left comments in the comment box maybe they will listen