Oops, impulse buy

**EnvironmentalBro** · 05-01-2012, 07:51 AM

Hi there,

I recently saw the most beautiful little Oscar at my LFS figuring I could just keep it in one of my 4 tanks. Now a month later I have downgraded to 3 tanks (600l Malawi, 600l Reef and a 200l community) my Oscar is in the little community tank but is growing fast and is going to need a new home. Unfortunately I have fallen in love with this little guy as he has the best personality, eating from my hand, watching me when I move around the tank; so I cant give him away. That means getting ANOTHER tank!

Moral of the story, impluse buys can cost a lot more than you think

**Lady Hobbs** · 05-01-2012, 07:58 AM

Never a good thing to do. You need to walk away when you see a fish you want and don't have a tank for it. Oscars should have a 75 for themselves.

**EnvironmentalBro** · 05-01-2012, 08:21 AM

Originally Posted by Lady Hobbs

Never a good thing to do. You need to walk away when you see a fish you want and don't have a tank for it. Oscars should have a 75 for themselves.

Thanks @Lady Hobbs, I don't mind having another tank for my Oscar but yes I agree, impulse buys should not be allowed! I think you should have to go through some screening process before you are allowed to buy any fish. That could save the lives of many fish. When I was new to the hobby I purchased a Clown Knife thinking it would look fantastic in my little community tank, only to wake up the next day with no more community! I can't tell you how many people I have intercepted at the LFS in my area because they clearly had no clue about the fish they were about to purchase.

**Lady Hobbs** · 05-01-2012, 08:27 AM

You're not the only one. I think of lot of people walk into a fish store and do "1 of this, 3 of that, 8 of that" and end up with goldfish, bala sharks, guppies and mbuna all in the same tank.......generally a 10 gallon. :)

**~Col~** · 05-01-2012, 09:31 AM

I would love to get an Oscar. The LFS has some beautiful long fin ones. Unfortunately, I don't have the tank space for one so now I close my eyes and walk past their tank. LOL!!

**ScottishFish** · 05-01-2012, 10:31 AM

I think the worst impulse buy fish are;

Oscars
Clown Loaches
Bala Sharks

They are all so cute and quirky whent small, then 12inches later you realise it was a mistake

**Rue** · 05-01-2012, 05:30 PM

Yes. I wish the pet stores, etc. would do more to educate people.

So fine, sell the cute baby Oscars...but sell them WITH the 75 g tank minimum they need.

That will make people rethink what they're doing.

**CrunchyLeaf** · 05-02-2012, 01:40 AM

This applies to all animal ownership. I would seriously not mind if you had to have a license to own and breed most animals. Even though it would mean I probably would have fewer pets, it would also mean all the irresponsible people that get pets when they shouldn't wouldn't have their pets.

I know that's not possible or practical, but #perfectworld

**EnvironmentalBro** · 05-02-2012, 10:46 AM

Originally Posted by Lady Hobbs

You're not the only one. I think of lot of people walk into a fish store and do "1 of this, 3 of that, 8 of that" and end up with goldfish, bala sharks, guppies and mbuna all in the same tank.......generally a 10 gallon. :)

Haha that would be an interesting tank

**EnvironmentalBro** · 05-02-2012, 10:51 AM

@Rue That would have made me think twice for sure!

@CrunchyLeaf I have to agree with you here, It's really not that impossible, I'm sure there must be a way that a law could be implemented that you need a license to own certain species. Like the one that prohibits you from keeping native species.