Why the Monsters? Is It Ethical?

[Death Pony]

Personally, and for all of us for that matter, I think 90% of pet fish look the best in large tanks. Way too many pacu, oscars, ID sharks, columbian sharks, etc. are sold to people who cannot adequately house them. I always tell people at PetSamrt or any LFS who big the fish they're looking at is going to get and that it will look its best and be more active in an appropriately sized tank.

It's relatively easy to house a 12" fish properly, all you need is space.

 

[Fishes33]

I think most people here have covered it, big fish that are sold when young for a cheap price to people who just don't know any better, and LFS staff not educating the people buying these fish about sizes and requirements just to make a buck...

Living in Hong Kong you see this all too often, you can see RTC's that are maybe 5 inches or under being sold for around USD $10 in a bag... then people bring them home start keeping them never knowing any better...

OR

You see a person walking around with a new a tank say a 5 - 10G, they then walk into another store say, and the store owners there will try and sell you as many fish as possible knowing that some of these fish will not make it in the long run. one example i've seen is one LFS selling a kid 10 (3-4cm) chichlids for his 10G tank!!! and said they would be fine...

Although this is just a very general thought about LFS stores in Hong Kong, since there are a few out there that do try and educate their customers, and make sure the fish do go to a good home...

seen that a lot of time, can't really stop a shop from selling monsters... honestly, they will sell it to people with the CASH, regardless of how poor condition the fish will get

Do you want to buy a (Goonch) Bargarius Yarelli (have a potiential size of 6') for $90??? (I really want to buy it, because I never seen one before)

or

how about owning one of the three Wild Caught Emperor Cichlid (which can grow 36"+) for just $25 each????

or

an alligator gar for $28 ????

or

Red Tail Cat / Tiger Shovel Nose for $10 ????

or

Arampima Giga for $150 ???

They are selling these CRAZY MONSTERS at my lfs as I speak...Do you want any? Do any of you want any? ^^ Its a good thing that they have an ugly face (to the general public) else they are goner to an average person...

Sometimes I really wish HHR669 should apply to Canada, to control these large exotic monsters from being mishandle, mistreat and etc...

 

[steelayer]

I dont think ppl should be putting huge fish in small tanks BUT!!! do you really want to government involved in what fish you can keep based on size? I mean come on anyone who would support a ban on selling certain species of fish based on potential size is a fool lets keep the goverment out of the hobby as they cant seem to manage anything well much less the selling of aquarium fish. AND I dont blame the pet stores they are just trying to make money and compete in a VERY competive market if they were to start interrogateing everyone about tank size water conditions filters other fish etc etc they would lose buisness plain and simple and I really doubt that very many aquarium stores can afford to lose buisness right now.Its the consumers responsiblity to know what they are purcheing and what its needs are. PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY PPL!!!!!! quit trying to pass the blame.

 

[cichlaguapote]

You can tell the real fish keepers here, just look around.

Aww you noticed.. I heart you too.



For monster fish there are rubbermaids, swimming pools, etc that can be had on the cheap. Not to mention slow growth rates for some larger species. For that reason I carry little concern for what people buy/keep as long as it's legal. I joined this site for that reason. And that IMO has been what made this site better than any other. Freedom to do what you want. Enough respect for fellow hobbiests that they can buy/sell/keep as they please within reason without persecution.

 

[Stump]

I think between Reverse and Cichlaguapote, my thoughts are pretty much covered.


Nice thread.

 

[Texs]

I dont think ppl should be putting huge fish in small tanks BUT!!! do you really want to government involved in what fish you can keep based on size? I mean come on anyone who would support a ban on selling certain species of fish based on potential size is a fool lets keep the goverment out of the hobby as they cant seem to manage anything well much less the selling of aquarium fish. AND I dont blame the pet stores they are just trying to make money and compete in a VERY competive market if they were to start interrogateing everyone about tank size water conditions filters other fish etc etc they would lose buisness plain and simple and I really doubt that very many aquarium stores can afford to lose buisness right now.Its the consumers responsiblity to know what they are purcheing and what its needs are. PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY PPL!!!!!! quit trying to pass the blame.

I agree.

This happened to me, I am the owner of to Pacu and Two O's in a 12 gallon tank. (Yes I know) Keep in mind they are tiny though.

When I realized what I did I made up my mind to purchase 120 gallon within a month or so for them to grow in and then eventually move the Pacus to a pond or 300 gallon tank.

 

[jcardona1]

the aquarium hobby in general is a lucrative industry. you guys think its mean to keep big fish in small tanks but you dont realize how many fish die in the process of getting them from the rivers to your tanks. if you take a step back and view things from a different perspective, youll see that this whole hobby is "cruel".

and the comment about making vendors/dealers responsible, that's a little off base. youre forgetting one thing: MONEY MAKES THE WORLD GO 'ROUND. if it sells, they will sell it. these people are in business for business and to make money. cant blame them for selling what people want to buy

 

[Fishes33]

the aquarium hobby in general is a lucrative industry. you guys think its mean to keep big fish in small tanks but you dont realize how many fish die in the process of getting them from the rivers to your tanks. if you take a step back and view things from a different perspective, youll see that this whole hobby is "cruel".

and the comment about making vendors/dealers responsible, that's a little off base. youre forgetting one thing: MONEY MAKES THE WORLD GO 'ROUND. if it sells, they will sell it. these people are in business for business and to make money. cant blame them for selling what people want to buy

Your Right!

Thats why I am going to buy that Goonch from the pet store!!

I heart it so much

 

[cichlaguapote]

Your Right!

Thats why I am going to buy that Goonch from the pet store!!

I heart it so much

True Yarelli can be hard to find.. I'd buy it..

 

[cchhcc]

and the comment about making vendors/dealers responsible, that's a little off base. youre forgetting one thing: MONEY MAKES THE WORLD GO 'ROUND. if it sells, they will sell it. these people are in business for business and to make money. cant blame them for selling what people want to buy

So under that logic we could all proudly sell drugs and weapons to anyone that wants them?


Sorry to be critical, especially since the first part of your comments made a lot of sense, but I can only agree with letting vendors off the hook if they also make a considerable effort towards education. Short of that, vendors are profitting off the ignorance of consumers and at the suffering of their livestock.

Require more of the vendors prior to the point of sale, and you and I will be in agreement.