Is it time for pet stores in USA to start doing like this British firm?

Question

http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/item.php?news=1478
Please start writing e-mails to other publications and retailers in the USA.

Answer 1

It's a great idea, but don't know how well it will work to abolish bowls and unfiltered tanks here in the US. Also there are many other problems that they need to handle, like selling fish that have the potential to get 3,4,5 feet long to someone that has a 40 gallon tank, talk about shortening a lifespan of a fish. I answered a question earlier from a guy who has a fish that has the potential of getting 98 inches, or 8 feet long, he is keeping this fish in a 10 gallon tank and was asking if he was going to need a larger tank and how fast. So if they are talking about the mistreatment of fish, they need to start there with the sale of fish that have no purpose in a home aquarium. Either way, it is a good idea what they are doing, at least it is a step.

Answer 2

The longest I ever had a goldfish was 13 years. I got him for my Science Fair project in 4th Grade, and had him since about 2 years ago he passed away. I was 9 when I got him and 22 when he died. Crazy huh!? I never had a fish that I kept alive that long... I actually had 2 gold fish for that project... the other one died 2 years earlier than my 13 year old one. That was just nuts! Goldfish were 10 cents a piece when I bought those two, they are now 28 cents a piece.

Answer 3

That's a great idea - also if they would follow the UK lead in banning dyed and tatooed fish, fish that are generally too large for most people to keep at home (not saying not to sell at all, but have them be a "special order", so stores, zoos and public aquaria aren't innundated with requests for plecos, pacu, iridescent sharks, etc. that have gotten too large for their owners' tanks.

Unfortunately, I doubt the people who produce any of these would be willing to go along with it - again, it all comes down to economics. I wonder though, if the US Fish and Wildlife required tracking/identification tags - embedded coded wires like those used in species reintroductions and they (the the breeders) had to pay for removal and environmental damage caused if the fish were released irresponsibly, if their idea of "economics" in at least of commonly offering "tankbuster" fish might change?

Answer 4

Does anyone truly care whether a goldfish lives 3 or 20 years? That store just wants more money from the higher priced filtered tank.

Answer 5

The British and Europeans in general are really into their animals as a whole. They're really into fish, bird breeding, etc, and know what they're doing.

Answer 6

I visited one of our pet shops,in Durham City England. As usual,the sales assistant informed me,that they had Never sold pet shops,since she started working there. You could not make this up!