Interesting article in Jan 2011 PFK:
http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/content.php?sid=3759&utm_source=PFK_ne
http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/content.php?sid=3759&utm_source=PFK_ne
Who's to blame for the big fish problem?
- Thread starter Pufferpunk
- Start date
I've wondered if part of this is due to some of these fish being farmed for food and entering the pet trade after captive bred specimens are already readily available.
IMO, when anyone buys stock that will get to 6" or larger, or stock that can injure a person during normal cleaning of the aquarium, there should be a 'simple' contract between buyer and seller stating : the average size the fish is expected to grow to, the tank size needed, and if the fish is considered dangerous to it's keeper while the person is performing normal tank keeping. And the buyer should have to sign a portion that states he/she understands and agrees to treat this pet 'humanely,' and that they are soley responsible for the health and well being of the pet. ----other stuff too, but that would be a good start.
I don't think this problem will be resolved at all! One option to curb this down is for each pet shop shouldn't stock any fish that will outgrow any tank they can order. So if a shop doesn't sell tanks bigger than a 150 then they shouldn't sell fish that will outgrow that tank! But this problem is part of the pet trade because dollars and impulse buying keeps it going! I'm sure there are other options that will help this problem but I don't really think legislation is the answer!
That is interesting. I have to say I think both consumers and sellers are at fault. But I don't like the idea of banning species over a certain size as that would be punishing everyone because some are stupid. Many people are capable of appropriately housing large fish. Maybe they need to set permits for specific fish so that way there is some regulation.
How about we leave it alone. Just leave it as is. No contracts no permirs nothing. Anyone suggesting permits need to do some research.....
Posted on mobile.monsterfishkeepers.com
Posted on mobile.monsterfishkeepers.com
i think the nanny state has gone far enough, people should be free to buy what they wish. the main problem with this, as in all things, is who decides what is too small for a certain fish. ive been rudely told on other forums that a 90 gallon isnt big enough for bala sharks/ angels or whatever, with the end remark usually something like' in the wild these fish have x amount of territory to themselves'. the truth is even the most massive home tanks are never going to mimic nature properly. isnt it funny how the minimum size for a certain fish always seems to be the very size of the know it alls tank.
littleg902;5006029; said:
Yeah we know there are lots of other species who grow larger than Oscars. But Oscars are very common and very often bought and are "tank busters" for the common idiot with a small fish tank. So I do think they being represented as a tank buster is accurate.