Bad fish tank advertising...

[Tokis-Phoenix]

With all the newb's to fish keeping that end with heavily overstocked tanks, can you blame them somtimes when you see the terible stocking shown in many fish tank adds? I bought a copy of practical fish keeping magazine the other day, which is a very good informative magazine with good reputation, only to see a competicion for a 30gallon tank pictured with many fish in it- i was shocked to see how many and what types of fish the tank had in it as first glance(fish wern't included with the tank);

17 angel fish
2 large gouramis
7 clown loachs

!!!

How can people expect others at times not to overstock their first tank when they see such stocking in such a magazine with such a good reputation? You can't realy blame them at times for being so disalusioned with tank stocking.
I often see small 2-5gal tanks on ebay with comet goldfish or other similar large growing fish, i think this is realy shameless advertising and i think it should be illegal for people to advertsie tanks with numbers and/or types of fish that the tank cannot actually hold- what do you think?
Its sad if a person buys a 30 tank after seeing it in an add in the belief that it will hold 17 angel fish, 2 large gouramis and 7 clown loachs after seeing them pictured living healthily and happily in the tank...

 

[SirMinion]

So true.
We recently bought a half-gallon tank (complete with hood, filter and light!) for somewhere to keep Martha's snails, and the box it came in shows it stocked with no less that fifteen swordtails and eight neons. In half a gallon!

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

So true.
We recently bought a half-gallon tank (complete with hood, filter and light!) for somewhere to keep Martha's snails, and the box it came in shows it stocked with no less that fifteen swordtails and eight neons. In half a gallon!

Holy fish flakes ! How did they fit them all in there ?? Did they have to put them in a blender just to fit them all in or somthing? I mean, thats a terrible example of how to stock a half gallon tank ....

 

[Teelie]

It's meant to sell the tank, not make an accurate representation of the viablilty of the fish. Of course it's misleading but anyone with intention to keep a pet should research it before they go buying them.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Yes but if you see an add for a mobile phone that has a camera built in, you expect to get the camera built in when you get it and for it to work.

If you see a barbecue with 6 medium sized lamb chops on it, you expect to be able to cook 6 medium sized lamb chops on it when you get it and for it to cook them adequetly.

If you see a pair of size 6 horse riding boots, you expect to be able to fit your size 6 feet in them and the boots and to be able to walk in them.

IF you see a 30gallon tank though, with 17 angel fish and 2 large gouramis and 7 clown loachs, you expect to be able to put those fish in and for them to live happily in it.
Sure people should research more when buying fish but that doesn't mean you shouldn't set a good example at least...

 

[Paul_MTS]

well put Tokis.

some of the small fish-r-fun tanks at work aren't pictured to badly only putting mainly small fish in probable a bit crowned on the smaller models but we managed to spot an oscar in the picture with your usual platties, guppies, tetras etc.

I think Juwel do a good job on stocking there tanks in there brochure. But then again there german and the tank mainly revolves aorund plants. The mainly use discus in there examples with 1 large shoal of rainbows in another tank.

 

[OohFeeshy]

*me reaches for the argos catalouge* Right, tanks they sell and fish in them-
1. Cold Water Fish Starter Set
Capacity- Approx. 3 US Gallons (it only says dimensions but I've got a tank exactly the same)
Fish- About 5 common goldfish
Also says in the description 'Suitable for up to two fish without filtration'

2. Col water aquarium Kit
Capacity- 14 litres (its a hex)
Fish- 4 common goldfish

3. 20 litre Tropical Fish tank
Capacity- About 4/5 gallons
Fish- Ready for this? For what I can see and ID- 2 angels, 5 dwarf gouramis, 13 neons

 

[dwarfgourami]

Oh gosh, that reminds me, I have got to post off that letter to the RSPCA. Their recommendations are absolutely off the scale.

 

[GSD]

too true,everytime you go to a pet shop etc they have small bowls with a pic of 10 goldfish in them so people expect to fit that many in without them all dying.I know a friend who had 7 commons in a small kritter keeper of about 1.5gallons.I told her theyd die like this,She just said to me well there was that many in it on the box its the same with betta tanks.yano those tiny 'spongebob' ones with a betta in.On the box he looks to have loads of room and be really happy but you get the tank home and have a job squeesing him in so his fins dont pop outa the water

 

[masterfishes]

there r a lot of misleading fish advertisements out there....i have an old box for a 5 gal starter tank with 7 swords and around 10 tiger barbs and i was even told onse that i could put 5 neons or 2 fantail goldfish in a 1 gal! and petstores have overstalked tanks the first few days after they reiceve shipments but some people just think its always supposed to be like that

 

[Boxcar Muzzdogg]

One day we were looking at a 55 gallon freshwater starter kit. The picture on the box shows a 55 gallon with fish in it. We became curious and started counting. When we were done we concluded the pic had 97+ fish ranging form mollies and platies to tiger barbs, gouramis, catfish and 'sharks.'

 

[dirtydogg]

It's meant to sell the tank, not make an accurate representation of the viablilty of the fish. Of course it's misleading but anyone with intention to keep a pet should research it before they go buying them.

but many people don't!