too HOT

[daimen123]

so I went to my LFS today and was looking around for my new rainbows. Found what I wanted only to be told they can't sell today cause its too hot and against the law. The temp at the time was 46c. Any one heard of this before?

[Goes to 11!]

Nope but it sounds like an obvious transport issue, I doubt they are looking for reasons to not take your money..

OTOH Maybe they are just tired of people coming back with dead fish on hot days and it's easier to say it's illegal.

What did a google of OZ laws regulating aquarium fish sales tell you?

[daimen123]

not much at all

[Goes to 11!]

Did you call some other stores and ask them about it?

What temp triggers it? How long this law has been around.. Etc..

[daimen123]

yes they told me every store in the state when it gets over 40c they cannot sell fish

[korith]

Never heard of anything like that here in the states. If you think about it, kind of makes sense. What 850R makes sense. Probably too many returns or complaints about fish dying on the drive home. Whenever I have to move fish in summer or winter, I leave them in a styrofoam container. Less of a temperature swing that way.

Maybe you go early in the morning when temperatures are lower?

[Trillianne]

Australia has some pretty specific codes

7. SALE OF ANIMALS IN HIGH TEMPERATURES
Animals must not be removed into the open from their controlled environment when the outside temperature exceeds 33 degrees Celsius.

LINK

However for Sydney the code reads specifically:

5.2.1.1 Premises in which caged animals are kept must be maintained at
temperatures and humidity levels that minimise distress. The room
temperature must not exceed 30 degrees Celsius and must not fall below
15 degrees Celsius.

11.1.2 The box or animal restraint must protect the animal from injury, other
animals, extreme temperatures and excessive stress.

PDF LINK

While the law in Sydney does not appear to ban sale at a specific temp, based on the combination of the laws regarding pet shop care of animals and transport after sale, I could see where they might find themselves in a bit of a pickle if they sold a fish on a hot day and it died.

[ScottishFish]

I Can honestly say I've never had that issue myself

[Lady Hobbs]

Prolly too many people buy them, go to lunch or do other shopping and the fish sit in a hot car and run out of oxygen. But if that was the reason, then they shouldn't sell fish here in the winter? :)

[Trillianne]

Actually Hobbs... could you imagine if this particular clause was actively enforced in these parts?

10.1.4 At the time of purchase of an animal, clients must be offered, at no charge,
accurate written information on the care of animal purchased.

10.2.3 Information required by Clause 10.1.4 should include information about:
• general care requirements of the species, including appropriate diet and
feeding regimes
• usual life span of breed/species
• minimum requirements for humane shelter and accommodation
• minimum requirements for security of the animal
• minimum requirements for social contact with humans and with other
animals of the same species
• minimum requirements for disease and parasite control/prevention
• how to identify and appropriately manage common diseases
• procedures for seeking emergency treatment for the animal, and the value
of establishing a relationship with a veterinary practitioner and/or animal
behaviourist or other experienced persons
• the estimated costs associated with providing food and shelter
• routine veterinary treatment that may be required for the animal(s), for
example vaccination or parasite control
• maximum time an animal can be left unattended
• the expected behaviours of the species or breed, for example digging or
scratching

They even specifically address fish requirements! Including the encouragement of re-homing rather than releasing into the wild. And they have specific numbers requirements on the Maximum Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrates are allowable.