Question

[johnay3]

How do the fish in the petstores survive in their tanks when there are about 7 - 12 in each tank? Whenever I ask about how many fish I can put I get an answer that 4 is pushing it.

 

[broomer5]

My guess is the filtration systems many pet stores use. They have a lot of water, add a lot of saltwater makeup as they're constantly removing water for bagged/sold fish, some treat for parasites or use UV and sometimes you don't see the total capacity of the tanks, they'll have huge sumps in back room with large established wet/drys.
I would guess that even though they have a lot of fish in the little cubicles, those fish really aren't digging those conditions.
Brian

 

[b_ball12_99]

Most all the fish are only in the pet store for a short time. LFS look for sells, not conditions.

 

[twoods71]

I agree with b-ball. Most crowded tanks in a LFS usually do not stay crowded for long due to sales.