OK, so I just bought a bunch of Petco fish with ICH.

[HumbleFish]

Guess I won't be shopping at petco and sharing my stories.

My apologies..

Nah, you're fine. So long as you understand the risks. Or if you don't... you'll either learn quick or exit the hobby. I believe people tend to learn more by doing than by telling. As rog2961 pointed out, you are still free to do as you choose when buying s/w fish. The only thing I'd like to see banned is the word BAN.

 

[Fishfirst]

It is a harsh reality, humblefish, you can pretend like nothing is going to happen and our hobby isn't in jeopardy, but the reality is we are at that tipping point. Be in denial all you want, but I saw this coming a long time ago and it is about to become reality if we do not do anything to regulate ourselves. I'm sure this will fall on deaf ears because this forum seems to breed that attitude, which in my opinion is just plain pathetic

 

[HumbleFish]

It is a harsh reality, humblefish, you can pretend like nothing is going to happen and our hobby isn't in jeopardy, but the reality is we are at that tipping point. Be in denial all you want, but I saw this coming a long time ago and it is about to become reality if we do not do anything to regulate ourselves. I'm sure this will fall on deaf ears because this forum seems to breed that attitude, which in my opinion is just plain pathetic

A lot of things are in danger of falling under govt. regulation or banishment right now. Something tells me not being able to buy s/w fish is going to be the least of our problems in the near future.

As far as this forum is concerned, I choose a different perspective. I see folks generously donating their time trying to educate/help those who need it.

 

[jesterisdead]

Being new to the hobby I read, read, and read some more. I also have purchased fish from the LFS to try and save them from being flushed away. I have never paid retail for them but work with the LFS that they are going to write them off as a loss anyway so let me try and save it. Sometimes it works sometimes it doesnt. If the LFS reorders again from same supplier there is nothing to be done about it. If you save the fish then good for us! Its the same with dog pounds. I think PETA spends more time on cats and dogs then they do fish anyway so don't condem someone from trying to save a fish. The Petco's in my area shut down thier salwater sections and don't even sell them anymore. So apparently an area manager decided to do something about it and leave it up to the more professional retailers or distributers.

 

[albano]

The Petco's in my area shut down thier salwater sections and don't even sell them anymore. So apparently an area manager decided to do something about it and leave it up to the more professional retailers or distributers.

Most likely the decision to stop selling SW fish, was because there was NO PROFIT in it!
I believe that the point some people are trying to make, is that if we all stop buying/trying to save their fish, then more of their stores will drop SW fish sales!

 

[jesterisdead]

I've lost more livestock in shipping then I did from the LFS. I understand the point some are making and love a democracy.

I asked them and the store fish manager said it was the cost of maintaining them and the number of livestock they got in with illness.

 

[Fishfirst]

A lot of things are in danger of falling under govt. regulation or banishment right now. Something tells me not being able to buy s/w fish is going to be the least of our problems in the near future.

As far as this forum is concerned, I choose a different perspective. I see folks generously donating their time trying to educate/help those who need it.

I am specifically regarding my statement to this issue, and this issue alone... there are too many deniers out there that this hobby is not in trouble. It may seem like a non issue for you, but when you look at what say the sea Shepards have done to the whaling industry and now they are turning their focus on us is quite alarming.

 

[MrTuskfish]

You are missing the point...

It is the massive denial of you folks that really makes my stomach turn... now that I am no longer working in the private sector and work with an AZA accredited institution, I actually would not mind a ban on all commercial imports.

This, without a doubt, the most self-righteous post I've ever read on this forum. just for the record, who are "you folks"; from your statement, it sounds like you're referring to anyone who doesn't buy only tank bred livestock. Collection of fish is quite sustainable, when regulated properly. One reason I try to avoid Indonesia or Philippine fish.

Of course there will be an effort down the road to ban import of any reef animal, Hawaii is almost there. But, IMO, the votes for passing this sort of ridiculous legislation aren't there. Polls indicate they won't be there for a while, either. One of the main supporters of this sort of government control, a guy who has spoken openly about it, is retiring. I won't miss Henry "nostrilitis" Waxman at all. FWIW: The AZA is non-profit with an agenda that seems emotively, rather than scientifically, driven. Sort of the institutional version of PETA. Enough ranting, I have to defrost something for dinner. My wife can't decide between fish and veal.

 

[Fishfirst]

You folks refers to people who continue to deny that this is a problem, and support, prop up, and keep in business those businesses that continually abuse the fish in their care. I do support the good businesses out there that ethically sell and care for fish.

Don't get me wrong, I have truly wanted to continue this hobby privately and continue promoting the good this hobby does. I believe this hobby advances the awareness of the plight of reefs everywhere. And I do not want it to cease due to a couple bad apples within the industry... however, I will be the first to turn on that statement if we as hobbyists continue to ignore these issues.

 

[Fishfirst]

Call me what you will, I merely am wishing we could all support the expulsion of poor business practices and those businesses that put a black eye on the hobby before we attract the wolves.

 

[Deinonych]

The moral of this story is: don't buy livestock from Petco or other retailers that don't practice good husbandry. If enough people stop doing business with them, they will either stop selling marine animals or go out of business. It upsets me to see fish in such poor conditions at Petco, but I know that by "rescuing" them, I'm only perpetuating the problem.

 

[DjScRiBbLe]

Op, seems like you had good intentions but based on how things are set up it doesn't seem like you had a good game plan really.

1. There shouldn't be substrate in a qt, fish don't care and it makes cleaning and treating more difficult.

2. Sounds like you didn't have a good treatment plan or understanding of which meds to use...

3. Buying a bunch of clowns and housing them together is not a good idea short or long term.

I'm not nocking down your efforts. 3 of my best fish are Petco ich rescues. But I had a solid plan and they were treated and conditioned properly and now are happy pigs. Good luck

 

[HumbleFish]

The moral of this story is: don't buy livestock from Petco or other retailers that don't practice good husbandry. If enough people stop doing business with them, they will either stop selling marine animals or go out of business. It upsets me to see fish in such poor conditions at Petco, but I know that by "rescuing" them, I'm only perpetuating the problem.

Not everyone lives within a reasonable driving distance of a good LFS or can order online. Some have no other option for s/w livestock than Petco. Just sayin' .

 

[Reefahholic]

Op, seems like you had good intentions but based on how things are set up it doesn't seem like you had a good game plan really.

1. There shouldn't be substrate in a qt, fish don't care and it makes cleaning and treating more difficult.

2. Sounds like you didn't have a good treatment plan or understanding of which meds to use...

3. Buying a bunch of clowns and housing them together is not a good idea short or long term.

I'm not nocking down your efforts. 3 of my best fish are Petco ich rescues. But I had a solid plan and they were treated and conditioned properly and now are happy pigs. Good luck

Substrate in a QT is personal preference. Really doesn't matter. Treatment can be effective either way.

Quote where I said I was housing all the clowns together?

I do have a solid plan. Treat with Copper and Parazipro and observe for 3 months. It's not rocket science.

 

[Reefahholic]

Call me what you will, I merely am wishing we could all support the expulsion of poor business practices and those businesses that put a black eye on the hobby before we attract the wolves.

So what do you suggest we do in the future?

Where do you get all your fish?

What is your game plan..

 

[Fishfirst]

In the future, you do not save those fish because it keeps a place like that in business... I would encourage you to talk to a local lfs, ask them questions and compare answers to what you have researched. If they are not answering basic questions correctly about disease, stocking, and compatibility, walk away. If their tanks look neglected, walk away. If their fish don't look healthy, walk away.
If you do not have a reputable dealer locally there are plenty of online shops who provide youwith healthy fish.

Personally I do not have a tank right now, I have bought from liveaquaria.com and had two good fish stores that I bought from. Now because I work publicly for an aquarium I either collect the fish in the exhibits or I order them from a reputable wholesaler.

 

[rog2961]

You obviously have no clue how close the animal rights groups, and the US government EPA congress etc are to shutting the industry down, and places like petco and people that do not understand the importance of choosing ethical places and paying a little more vs a rotting company that has killed millions of fish without blinking an eye...
Go educate yourself before making comments like that. If you knew me, you would know that i am a huge proponent of the free market, however, we need to regulate ourselves like the dive industry did otherwise we are going to all get shut down.

Are you not keeping fish from the ocean in a glass box for your own viewing pleasure?

 

[Fishfirst]

Are you not keeping fish from the ocean in a glass box for your own viewing pleasure?

If you are using this to breach my ethics argument you are also saying that dogs cats and other pets cant be kept for pleasure. But to answer your question, No I do not keep them in a glass box for my pleasure, I keep them personally to educate hundreds of thousands of people about these magnificent animals.

There just is no reason to support petco and other poorly run shops across the country when we have so many good options out there.

 

[Nina51]

My wife can't decide between fish and veal.

so, what did you fix?

 

[HumbleFish]

Enough ranting, I have to defrost something for dinner. My wife can't decide between fish and veal.

If you lived on an island in the Pacific Ocean, you might be having this for dinner...