Opinions Wanted

[Res Judicata]

I suddenly had a thought and am pretty sure I'm being a hypocrite here. I avoid places like Petco and the likes that sell reptiles, birds, and things furry, but I have kept fish in the past. In fact I just tore down my tank in the last month or so. I like keeping fish. I buy them at a store devoted entirely to pet supplies and fish. The ARL is set up there and the only animals there besides fish are up for adoption. The people who work there are very knowledgeable about fish, educate you about the fish before you get them, tell you what's appropriate for the type of tank you have, and will help out with any fish problems or setting up a tank. Clean place, never a dead fish in a tank, never any overcrowding. Then I found myself thinking recently when I considered getting my tank up and running again sometime in the future. "If I'm so concerned about the selling of guinea pigs and the likes, what about fish? Shouldn't I be worrying about them, too?" I'm thinking now I'm just going to put away the fish stuff and not have fish anymore. Even if they are sold by people who know their stuff and keep them healthy and in proper conditions, I don't know where these fish come from or what they've been through to get to the store. What do the rest of you feel about aquatic stores?

[Cavie Cove]

I was thinking this yesterday as I was cleaning out my fish tanks. One thing I would like to know is, is there any fish rescues out there?
I get my fish from a shop that sounds simlar to the same you do. Sells only fish and pet supplies and one I chose a fish but was told not to get it by the assisitant as it would eat all my other fish.

[VoodooJoint]

Fish rescues are few and far between. The most I have ever seen up for adoption in my area are guppies and goldfish.

I have rescued some goldfish, guppies, mosquito fish and koi myself. The most recent were several goldfish, mosquito fish and snails in an abandoned backyard bathtub pond. The property is owned by a friend of mine and she alerted me to the situation when the renters left. The fish were added to my large outdoor pond and are all doing well. I will soon also be taking on a goldfish from my local recycle center that is outgrowing his tank and probably several koi and goldfish from a neighborhood restaurant. The restaurant/bar fish are okay now but will outgrow their tank in a few months.

I have only found one tropical fish alive that I was able to rescue years ago. A small tetra that survived in a mostly drained tank for months. Usually tropical fish do not survive their neglect long enough to be rescued.

In my opinion fish sales, in a good, clean, responsible environment with knowledgable sales people are okay.

[daftscotslass]

I'm the proud owner of two rescue fish! There was a conference at the hotel I used to work at who bought in lily vases with fish as the centrepieces. Everyone was absolutely disgusted and some of us refused to work at the function. They were left to die afterwards without a thought so each of us took some home. 3 years later two out of the three are still with me!

[wickedrodent]

I have done the same thing in the past, When I have bought fish, its always from a place that just sells fish and that houses them in good conditions.

The main reason I do, is because I have only come across fish like goldfish needing homes, and I keep fish such as Gourami, and Playtes. Although right now I only have one Gourami (Princess, who Is 3 years old Today!!!)

If I were to ever see any fish needing homes, that would be able to be housed appropriatly with Princess, I would jump at the chance to adopt them. I have yet to see any..

I would really love to hear other peoples views on this also.

[standuprookie]

I have seen a few fish for adoption on craigslist. (some come with tanks some don't)
The most recent fish a saw were some very large Oscars. I have also seen alot of people giving tanks away with all the fish still in them.

[VoodooJoint]

Originally Posted by standuprookie

I have seen a few fish for adoption on craigslist. (some come with tanks some don't)
The most recent fish a saw were some very large Oscars. I have also seen alot of people giving tanks away with all the fish still in them.

Yes, I've seen set-ups like this listed in the paper. I always figured that when I have room to keep indoor fish again I would get some being rehomed in this manner.

[fourbwabbys]

I try to get my fish from a shop that breeds humanely and knows what they're talking about. Like all animals, the big chain stores like Petco get them from inhumane breeding. If you can find one that is looking for a home, then go for it. But if not, I would find the best place possible.

[zippysmom]

I think that they seem like very informed people and you could probably trust them.

[Slave to the Wheek]

I agree with fourwabbies. As a former goldfish fish owner who spent hundreds on them, I found that the only good places to get healthy fish were at local aquarium stores rather then chain stores. Everyone I knew told me to run away from stores that sold fish in bulk, and from fish stores where the people knew less about fish than you do.

The fish section at Walmart is the most disgusting place imaginable with fish covered in every possible parasite and illness imaginable. Once I knew about all the diseases, it didn't take more than a split second to recognize. I couldn't resist walking through the section when I visited the store...until I started realizing that all those fish were all dying it was just a matter of how long it would take...

[standuprookie]

I think if you have to breed animals just so so can keep them as pets, you shouldn't have them. The only fish I have now are two African dwarf frogs. (not technically fish but close) I got these guys as a Christmas present from my aunt. She knew I loved animals so what better present . I don't know where she got them but I can bet it is somewhere I would never shop. If I get any more fish I will try and find some for adoption if I can't I simply will not have any, or wait until I can find some for adoption.

[Solebomber]

Wouldn't buying a fish from any store encourage the breeding of more fish ? ? Would this encourage people to view fish as disposable pets ? ? wouldn't this just encourage the big pet fish farms? is a guinea pig somehow better than a Fish as far as animal rights are concerned ? I don't think so - Just my opinion.

[naturestee]

If you're concerned about supporting big fish farms or importing/capturing wild fish (I hate that), go with a local aquarium store that knows what they're talking about and ask them where they get their fish from. Some of them buy primarily from local, known small-time breeders that take excellent care of their fish. I know a few people that do this. They have fabulous tank set-ups based on the species' native environment, plants and all, and are very careful about the care and food their fish receive. I don't know anyone who does tetras though, mainly African or South American cichlids, killies, or livebreeders.

I tend to make special exceptions for fish with the breeder issue because I've never seen a fish rescue. I do have several rescued fish though because my neighbor said if I didn't take the tank from him he'd just flush all the fish.

[fashion victim]

Originally Posted by daftscotslass

I'm the proud owner of two rescue fish! There was a conference at the hotel I used to work at who bought in lily vases with fish as the centrepieces. Everyone was absolutely disgusted and some of us refused to work at the function. They were left to die afterwards without a thought so each of us took some home. 3 years later two out of the three are still with me!

In every single graduation or school event I've been to in different hotels they always use a Betta (siamese fighting fish) as a centrepiece. They put a single fish in a huge clear crystal vase with some aquatic plants. People take them home when the activity is over because they're up for grabs.

[standuprookie]

What makes a fish breeders better than a dog/cat/guinea pig/hamster/gerbil/mice/bird/etc. breeders? If you look hard enough and have patience you can find some needy fish.

[hydrohoki]

A fish tank is very different than a guinea pig tank. When planning a salt water tank you really need to have a basic idea of what kinds of fish you are going to get in order to get them from the right breeder. In order to run a fish rescue, each fish would basically have to be in a separate tank than all of the others to prevent spread of disease.

I only bought tank bred fish and grown corals as to not support the distruction on the reefs (this limited the available species). However, I have heard of rehoming fish but depending where you are and many other factors it may be difficult.

I don't think fish are better/worse than guinea pigs but the situation is very different.

*Again note my post is in relation to my exerience with saltwater fish and may not apply to some freshwater species. The use of betas for decoration and fish at fairs I'm completely against*

[naturestee]

It's somewhat similar with freshwater fish. Many of the schooling types become stressed if they don't have enough of their species around them, so should the rescue actively seek out or buy more of that species? There'd have to be a lot of different tanks for fish of different sizes, aggression, water quality needs, etc. Some need soft water, some need hard water with a little salt, etc. Some very popular fish are extremely aggressive- I'm thinking of the African cichlids here. You need a specialized rock cave setup to have many in a tank, and you can not have other fish in with them because they will tear them apart.

Not to mention quarantine tanks for all the new fish.

Many local fish stores will take unwanted fish if they have the space for them.

[cookie_gal]

I personally would stick to fish specialists, you will get healthy fish from people who know what they are talking about. Here in UK we have several plaves that sell fish and fish equipment only. I have never ever seen rescue fishes in the UK.

[Res Judicata]

I keep the more hardy freshwater species because I'm pretty much a novice at fishkeeping. I'm going to ask where they get their fish the next time I'm in there for supplies. I had problems with my water and rehomed my two remaining fish with my dad before I lost them, too. But I do want to start over with new equipment and using bottled water. Although they're really a "hands-off" kind of pet (meaning you really can't interact with them, it's rare to see a fish with much of a personality, and you basically feed, clean and watch), we enjoy having them around. It's relaxing to watch them. Thanks for your opinions.

[lynn's Cavies]

I also recently worked at a place where they used Betta's (Siamese Fighting Fish) at their trade shows and would give them away to people. It really upset me and I told them my opinion about this...but they didn't listen. I have rescued goldfish, newts and firebelly toads from this place. They are alive and thriving at my house now.

I also have a Betta that lives in a 33 gallon tank and he is incredibly active, doing wonderful. It makes me feel good to see him in there as opposed to the smaller tank he was in at work.

But yes, I wondered about fish myself, about rescuing and where it is appropriate to get them from. I definitly would not get fish from Wal-mart as they have all their tanks attached to the same filter system. Thus, one gets a disease and it travels through all the tanks. Just ridiculous how it is set up.

There is an aquarium store near our house and it is only fish, not other animals, and they take wonderful care of them. All fish are in appropriate tanks, proper filteration, etc. The owners are knowledgable and I'm glad they do not sell other pets.

I've gone back and forth in my head about it because I believe in adoption, and not buying from petstores. But it is true that most fish would die very quickly from neglect, and in a lot of stores you can see dead fish or diseased fish, etc. It is hard to hide the neglect. I'm sure some stores try though...

I think for myself I would only shop at an aquarium store that is knowledgeable and only sells fish. And of course, the fish tanks must be in good condition, no disease, etc. But yes, I find this question an interesting one.

Makes a person think.