I wouldn't go as far as to say that all LFS in the US are pathetic. That generalization can be made by the big chain stores, but not all our LFS are created equal. But I do agree that the irresponsible ones can really take advantage of an inexperienced fish keeper. When I first got into this hobby I was told that two Pacu, a Cyano, Red Devil, breeding pair of Convicts, and a breeding pair of Dempseys would live happy and long lives in 120gal! That set up was pretty cool when they were all about 3". Then the blood and scales went flying! I learned a great deal from that experience many years ago. Now when I walk through Petsmart I cringe when I hear people being told the same lies.
Monster-Cichlinformation
- Thread starter Irondale
- Start date
mark377;4375605; said:
The real problem is the different attitudes people have towards mistreating animals. If a cat or dog was [mis]treated the same was as 90% [guesstimate] of the pacus sold at walmart the SPCA/PETA/whoever would be all over them for cruelty, but because its a fish people don't really seem to care. And that goes for people right across the board, not just the ones buying them, if the distributor/wholesaler/importer had more than just money in mind fish like pacu and arapaima would never be available in any LFS as you can guarantee the vast majority of them never end up in adequate housing...
I very rarely go to LFS's here in Denver. I may go in and buy Prime or something along those lines but very very rarely fish. I can kind of see why so many fish stores are going under though.
Jason_S;4375666; said:A lot of the problem is that too many people buy into the "fish will only grow to the size of their tank" crap. Adding to that are the occasional LFS that give out that as solid information.
Not to mention... that even the species that do stop growing due to their living conditions suffer from it. Even the the External fish isn't growing, it's internal organs are. That said, your basically filling a balloon with air, and your not stopping. At some point, that balloon will pop, aka the fish will die.
It's rather cruel that petstores give wrong information, because the people buying their new pets usually aren't smart enough to do research. Pet stores are fully aware of that, but most are in the bussiness only for profit. Blasphemous.
Modest_Man;4375869; said:
Haha, well... maybe I exxaggerated a teencie-teenie....-tiny bit.
At least it will keep the newbs too scared to buy two GT's in a 10 lol. They bassically just tore eachothers fins off and ripped the scales off eachother.
Much better though...(NOT)
