I think that a lot of people on this site, myself included, are guilty of using feeder fish for some species. Is that goldfish or minnow (or in my case neon tetra cus we dont have feeders in uk) less important or less worthy of life than our prize specimen? Sure they are cheaper and smaller, maybe they dont have the same personality? There will always be a degree of cruelty in what we do and as someone stated, a certain amount of hypocrisy within us. I think the issue in question, which is the good or the bad of the chain stores, is more to do with taking care of the species that we do value... I am sure that there are good chain stores as much as i know there are bad. I know it is difficult for managers to find people that are willing to work for minimum wage that have an inkling about the hobby. I am also sure that there will always be people that are willing to buy a (eventual) 3 foot fish for their 2 foot tank, knowing full well the result. None of this will change and there is nothing that can be done about it, other than laws that will ruin things for everyone ie blanket bans or restrictions (read snakeheads usa for example) As I stated before, the uninitiated expect that going to a fish store they will be dealing with people who know what they are talking about. So why research if you are dealing with experts? Mr Smith doesnt know the guy working at (insert fish store here) knows nothing about fish and is resentful of his job because he gets paid a pittance. The manager of that store has his hands tied by head office who wants more for less money all the time. So because Mr Smith doesnt know better and employee couldnt give a fiddler's fudge poor mr oscar ends up in a 20 gallon tank. BUT, why oh why can all fish shops label their fish. Species, requirements, size, size of tank required etc etc. A little pic of the fish in question to avoid confusion. It wont stop Mr i dont give a ****, but it would take the responsibility off of the workers and it will give the people who want to do the right thing some info that they can use... Ok so someone would have to do a little work to set it all up, make little cards or whatever, but once they are made they are there to use again and again. It would take a lot of the randomness out of purchases and employess who dont have the knowledge can refer to the cards 'how big is your tank sir? 50 gallons you say? well im afraid that this here pacu needs a tank that is many times that size' I know it isnt perfect and it relies on people wanting to do right, but it would cut down on a lot of shocked people that come home one day and find their fish doesnt fit in their tank any more...