Horrible Fish Store

[aquafox]

Someone please talk me out of doing something I know I shouldn't! There is a pet store here in town that has a salt water fish section. It is absolutely in the worst condition I have ever seen. It has been going steadily down hill since they got into the salt water fish business a month ago. They have only one person in the store who knows anything about the tanks (and obviously he is not at the knowledge level required for this sort of endeavor) and no one else will assume any responsibility. I went in today and it is the worst yet....many of their tanks are so bad that all the fish either died or had to be moved....and they have two large tanks that are overstocked with fish that should not be mingled...they have tangs, puffers, angels, eels, lionfishes, triggers, clowns, about 15 that are over 5 inches each crammed into a 55 gallon tank. In this same tank is a tiny porky puffer (about 2 inches long) that I have been watching....his tail is eaten off, he is covered in ick (along with everything else in the tank)....I am so tempted to buy him....I know I could save him...but I don't want to support what they are doing. Everything looked awful today...their percula clowns were covered in disease and floating tail down struggling for air....they had a beautiful box fish and he was covered in ick....everything they have is doomed to death. Their corals are taken over by algae and dying. And what really irks me is that I have talked to the guy that supposedly "knows" about swf....and he tells me they are putting in a new system and that is why the tanks look bad...yet today, he was in atlanta buying more swf!!! To put in these horrid tanks with already sick and dying fish.....it made me so sick to think of all the beautiful creatures that are dying...I really want to save that puffer....I have one at home that I raised from a tiny baby and it just tears my heart to see one so mistreated....I know I shouldn't....but I want to save him....they know he's sick...I even tried to convince them to sell him cheaper to let me try to save him...they still want full price! For all their sick and dying fish....is there anything to be done? I have already this day reported them to the department of agriculture....what else can I do?

 

[benj2112]

I would just say let it go. It can be so hard sometimes, but you are just putting more money in their pockets. With how bad their tanks sound I think most people would avoid them. I think a lfs would just loose money on a poorly run operation like that and have to give up on SWF (unless it is a big chain store with deep pockets that can just keep loosing money for a lot longer time period).

 

[aquafox]

I think the same as you about the losing money thing....they are a small store..they have to be losing money....but how many fish have to die first? Nearly all of these fish are ocean caught and cannot be bred in captivity…. Many of them are probably years old….they lived their life avoiding predators in the ocean to die without dignity in these god awful fish tanks…I guess it just hit me pretty hard today...thanks for the advice....

 

[jdogg2432]

I used to frequent a LFS that was in the same situation as yours. The hardest thing for me was that he sold all his fish at least 25% cheaper than any other LFS. I bought several fish from him when I first started out, but almost every one of them died shortly after. I think his intentions were good, he just didn't have a clue about the proper way to care for saltwater.
I finally had to sit back and realize that by the time I replaced the dead fish that I bought from him I wasn't saving any money at all. In fact, I was paying almost double.
Fortunate enough for me, I have since found a LFS near my work that is completely opposite. They won't even sell you a fish if it shows any sign of disease. Of course I pay a little more when I shop there, but it's well worth it to me. I haven't lost one fish since I've started going there.

 

[debbie g]

I say we pull a "mission impossible" maneuver and raid the place in the dark of night...save all the fishies and distribute them to all the knowledgeable people on saltwater.com:jumping:
But seriously, you reported them and that is prob all you really can do. I'm sure it made you sick to see that. It actually sounds like a horror house for fish lovers. Keep us informed if anything comes of this.

 

[jackie dh]

It sounds like the "death co" that I went to recently. The had half a dozen big purple tangs in 20 gallon tanks. Every one of them was covered with ick, and yes they were still selling them. They had a few powder blues in the same shape too.
I refuse to buy any more fish from that place, but how about all those poor people who don't know any better that pay $80 for a sick fish, and take it home and lose all their fish.
If I were lucky enough to have a fish store, I would never knowingly sell a sick fish to any one. Bad business.
:nope:

 

[rover3190]

In Georgia, any store selling animals is required to obtain an animal protection license. There are rules and guidelines covering the habitats, enclosures and overall health of the animals. A phone call to the Department of Agriculture should clear things up.

 

[benj2112]

AquaFox...make that call!!

 

[aquafox]

I did! I did! Called them yesterday. And today a friend of mine that also went by and saw the store is going to place a second report with them. We are trying to make sure someone checks on them quickly. I am sorry to say my will power failed me and we went and got the puffer from them - and told them the only reason we were buying it was to try to save it's life and that they would get no more business from us. They didn't seem to care....they were too busy floating the unmpteen bags with fish they had just brought from Atlanta. It was sickening to see them floating bags to add fish to these disgusting tanks. Wonder if I could find out who their supplier is and maybe let them know the conditions the animals are being subjected to? Do the large suppliers care or are they just as bad?

 

[fester]

We did give in and get that tailless baby puffer....he's doing well in the QT tank and eating good....as soon as we put him in there I offered him some krill....he ate as soon as he was out of the bag....so maybe he'll make it....he was covered with ick this morning....but overall he seems to be in decent shape after his ordeal....we'll have him back in good health soon....