LFS and Cleaner Wrasses!

[miaheatlvr]

Well, I just got back from the LFS and they had about 30 C.W.

. There already was one Floater

They had about 15 in each tank just swimming around looking for something to pick at. I mentioned something to him like they dont do well in captivity and he gave me EVIL LOOK and told me "yeah but they sell well" so somebody must be buying them.. p.s they were only $7 and he didnt even have them in a TANG or ANGEL tank were they could actually look for some parasites..

 

[pjlovesbaskets]

Do you find it hard to find good lfs in your area? It is really bad by me. I have one store that is very knowledgeable but they are part of a puppy mill chain. Now I can put that past me somewhat since I am not buying puppies, but the fish look sick and horrible! Many dead fish and sick fish struggling in the tanks. My tanks have seen some bad days and their tanks are so dirty that I will never buy a fish there!
The the other 3 stores don't have knowlegable people. The one I go to the most has one ONE person that knows anything about SW fish. I will only buy from him. I leave if he isn't there. They just had a huge turnover and they know nothing about SW. The other store, the most knowledgable person made bad suggestions and their tanks look dirty. We now alternate between two seeing who is most helpful.
My 11 year old wants to open a store and be an entrepenuer because it is so bad. He is pretty knowlegeable at his age so I bet he could do it.

 

[florida joe]

Don’t blame the LFS blame the LFS patrons

 

[snakeblitz33]

Hah, I refuse to sell things that don't do well for peoples tanks.
And I did/am opening a store because of that exact reason!
Cleaners should never be taken out of the wild. There are certain fish, corals, and inverts that should always stay in the oceans regardless if they do well or not in captivity...
have fun!

 

[snakeblitz33]

Originally Posted by florida joe
http:///forum/post/2585053
Don’t blame the LFS blame the LFS patrons
That's also another thing that bothers me, LFS's are there to make a profit and they do their best. While you maintain only one tank, they have to keep many many tanks with varying bioloads...
As for the knowledgeable sales people - it's not always easy to find people who know anything about aquaria who don't already have a full time job and a wife and kids...
Anyways, just my rant, sorry.

 

[apelaston]

true true i am a fulltime mom and have one son. I have applied many times at the only fish store anywhere around here and each time i get interviewed(mind me i was a retail store manager previously so i know sales) they ask---is babysitting going ot be a problem for you," from some 19yr old who is just making cash for the weekends.....
I find that even when knowledgable people TRY to get jobs there , even pt or whatever...they can't if you are over 25...
which i can't even buy liquor which you have to be 21 to buy without being carded......or smokes which is age limit of 18..i just turned 25....
you are pretty much turned down before you are even given a chance.

 

[sepulatian]

Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33
http:///forum/post/2585056
Hah, I refuse to sell things that don't do well for peoples tanks.
And I did/am opening a store because of that exact reason!
Cleaners should never be taken out of the wild. There are certain fish, corals, and inverts that should always stay in the oceans regardless if they do well or not in captivity...
have fun!
My distributer used to try to push them on me. I refused to buy them as well. They tried for $2 each once. I told them no. The guy asked me, "Well we have to sell them, what do you suggest that I do with them?" I told him to set them free. He wasn't happy with my response. I didn't care.

 

[sepulatian]

Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33
http:///forum/post/2585061
That's also another thing that bothers me, LFS's are there to make a profit and they do their best. While you maintain only one tank, they have to keep many many tanks with varying bioloads...
As for the knowledgeable sales people - it's not always easy to find people who know anything about aquaria who don't already have a full time job and a wife and kids...
Anyways, just my rant, sorry.
No, it isn't easy to find them, that is why you have to train them. You will be spending a GREAT deal of time in your own store after it opens!

 

[lion_crazz]

It definitely comes back to the patrons who buy from the local fish store. As long as ignorant peopl are still buying them and LOOKING for them, the LFS will carry them. If the "good" LFS doesn't stock them anymore, that customer will go to another store and spend their money there.
As much as you tell someone what is right and wrong, they are still going to do what they want. LFS have to keep customers happy and make money. Even "knowledgable" people buy cleaner wrasses. There are still very few who are against keeping them and that's really sad.

 

[sepulatian]

Originally Posted by lion_crazz
http:///forum/post/2585225
It definitely comes back to the patrons who buy from the local fish store. As long as ignorant peopl are still buying them and LOOKING for them, the LFS will carry them. If the "good" LFS doesn't stock them anymore, that customer will go to another store and spend their money there.
As much as you tell someone what is right and wrong, they are still going to do what they want. LFS have to keep customers happy and make money. Even "knowledgable" people buy cleaner wrasses. There are still very few who are against keeping them and that's really sad.
Ah, but if all of the "good" LFS's refuse to stock them, and tell the people all about cleaner gobies and how much better they are, then maybe we can put a dent in the amount wrassies comming off of the reef

 

[snakeblitz33]

Originally Posted by sepulatian
http:///forum/post/2585254
Ah, but if all of the "good" LFS's refuse to stock them, and tell the people all about cleaner gobies and how much better they are, then maybe we can put a dent in the amount wrassies comming off of the reef

Totally and utterly agreed.
However, I also agree with Lion because LFS's will always keep the animals that sell, regardless if they know they will die or not. It's a shame...

 

[sepulatian]

Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33
http:///forum/post/2585331
Totally and utterly agreed.
However, I also agree with Lion because LFS's will always keep the animals that sell, regardless if they know they will die or not. It's a shame...
LFS's can turn it around when people come in for a cleaner wrassie. Sell them a cleaner gobie instead. People can be talked into anything that you want them to be talked into. You can talk them into bringing home three tangs for their new 45, or you can be a good store owner and talk people out of buying a cleaner wrassie. Cleaner gobies cost more anyway. Talking them into that is better for you, them, and the reefs.

 

[snakeblitz33]

Originally Posted by sepulatian
http:///forum/post/2585341
LFS's can turn it around when people come in for a cleaner wrassie. Sell them a cleaner gobie instead. People can be talked into anything that you want them to be talked into. You can talk them into bringing home three tangs for their new 45, or you can be a good store owner and talk people out of buying a cleaner wrassie. Cleaner gobies cost more anyway. Talking them into that is better for you, them, and the reefs.
Amen.

 

[i love fish]

Originally Posted by sepulatian
http:///forum/post/2585254
Ah, but if all of the "good" LFS's refuse to stock them, and tell the people all about cleaner gobies and how much better they are, then maybe we can put a dent in the amount wrassies comming off of the reef

why can't someone get a hold of Greenpeace or some other kind of welfare for animals orgainsation and try 2 explain how bad this is 4 the SW fish in the ocean etc and see if they can be banned from being taken from the oceans and reefs of the world and impose heavy fines on any1 found catching/selling/dealing with them?
I think we should join forces and do something, don't u guys?

 

[snakeblitz33]

Can't. There are big time people out there who make too much profit off of the animal who aren't going to let you put up a fuss.

 

[damsel luver]

Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33
http:///forum/post/2585483
Can't. There are big time people out there who make too much profit off of the animal who aren't going to let you put up a fuss.
But the fish in the ocean will die without their doctors so the LFSs would have no more fish 2 sell coz they would all b dead.

say that 2 them

 

[nina&noah]

Originally Posted by sepulatian
http:///forum/post/2585341
LFS's can turn it around when people come in for a cleaner wrassie. Sell them a cleaner gobie instead. People can be talked into anything that you want them to be talked into. You can talk them into bringing home three tangs for their new 45, or you can be a good store owner and talk people out of buying a cleaner wrassie. Cleaner gobies cost more anyway. Talking them into that is better for you, them, and the reefs.
This is very true! For all of you LFS owners out there. Tell your entire staff to educate about cleaner gobies. I wanted a cleaner wrasse until I found out about the gobie on this site. Now I love him. He does the exact same thing that the wrasse does and he is better for the environment. The problem is, I had to call around 8 LFS to find him. My LFS didn't have any, but they had 5 C.W. The cleaner gobie is a very hard fish to find. Does anyone have any idea why?