Big Fishes in smal places.

[mississippirbust]

I can't help but, wonder why the mega stores that sale fish carry so many breeds that become so large that they should be left only to the skilled whith the right kank in size and filtration system. It is kinda of decieving to see fish such as pacu's in 10 gallon tanks.
It gives to the layman a false since of scale of what the fish will become. any sugestions why they do this?:9:

[troy]

All they want is $$$

[gm72]

Troy has it, money is the key. Most of them don't care at all about the fish, they are looking to turn a profit.

[Rue]

Well, yes of course...but in all fairness...it's supply and demand.

And really...it's ultimately up to the consumer to educate themselves somewhat on what they want. Esp. with the internet...how much easier can it be?

And what about the guy that really wants a pacu and sets up the 300g tank for one? He should also be able to buy a fish at the LFS...or should they just cater to those with small tanks?

The tanks at fish-stores are holding tanks. They're not meant to be permanent homes. That's why the tanks are over-stocked.

[gm72]

I mostly agree, but how many people have 300 gallon tanks vs. how many people have 10 gallon tanks? Should pacus and channel cats really be so common place?

[dev]

The tanks at fish-stores are holding tanks. They're not meant to be permanent homes.

And yet many a fish ends it's life in one :(

I think certain stores overstock way too much. And I can't figure out why certain shops would sell something like a 2.5 gallon fish bowl with a handfull of goldfish either. I hope it's just ignorance.

[RobbieG]

I "vote" with my $$$ on this. When I come across a store that crosses the line they do not get my money.

[Faith_at_Large]

I do not mind stores selling the bigger fish if they have a properly trained fish staff and a good labelling system that lets people know what the mature size of the fish will be. I have seen this done and was able to choose fish based on their ultimate size rather than what they looked like in the store.

[zackish]

You guys also need to realize that people want to raise and see their own fish grow from when they buy them at a store. It's the same thing as having a kid. You don't want to see it for the first time when it's 10 years old. Just a simple label like someone else mentioned on the tank saying full grown size is adequit. The full grown size should give you enough of a hint.

[NWMountainTroll]

Well, yes of course...but in all fairness...it's supply and demand.

And really...it's ultimately up to the consumer to educate themselves somewhat on what they want. Esp. with the internet...how much easier can it be?

And what about the guy that really wants a pacu and sets up the 300g tank for one? He should also be able to buy a fish at the LFS...or should they just cater to those with small tanks?

The tanks at fish-stores are holding tanks. They're not meant to be permanent homes. That's why the tanks are over-stocked.

That guy would be risking a flood in his house in that case. Even a 300g is too small for a pacu.