Is It Wrong To Take Unwanted Fish To Lfs?

[marieukxx]

My sister has guppies and a gourami and she's overrun with guppies so doesn't wanna keep them anymore. She also has a gourami but she has fallen in love betta and wants them instead. Is it wrong to take them into a lfs? She's considered it as she isn't happy with her stocking but she feels guilty about it.

Has anyone done this, do you think it's wrong?

 

[england]

People change there stocking all the time, it is fine, better than resenting them eh,

 

[coldcazzie]

I did it just a couple of weeks ago. Better that they go to someone else

 

[england]

The other way, is not liking them, then water changes, feeding goes a miss, un-cared for, resenting the hobbie, not good really, best keep what makes you happy, with in reason of course

 

[Abyss]

It's fine. Why wouldn't it be?

They'll go to someone who want them.

Maybe not as good as fishkeeper but whatever, that's life.

With my Malawis I had somewhat of a revolving door in my tank, constantly switching up but always with other people (only cos the shops didn't have anything good to swap).

 

[micko]

I don't see a problem in it.

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

In an ideal world, we would all do lots of research and only buy fish in suitable numbers for the tanks we have at that time. But in the real world, many of us make impulse and badly informed purchases and if a private buyer or "adopter" cannot be found, then giving the fish to the LFS is probably the best option for the sake of the fish hopefully getting a "happy ending" at some stage.

I have my own dilemmas at the mo, wondering about my temperate Asian fish. While I know I could sell my six ~10cm Denisonii Barbs in a heartbeat, it's finding someone intrested in my nine mixed Barilius species and my increasingly aggressive (charging, has no teeth to inflict injury) adult Panda Garra, all of which need a relatively specialized setup that is 5-foot plus; cooler temp than most fish; lots of current.

 

[fishprotector]

Although research is always the way forwards, if your change your plans then taking the fish back would mean that they get a second chance to be happy in someone elses tank where they may be their number one stock.

 

[Utternutter]

Or you could sell them yourself to someone locally. We did that and used a local for sale site on Facebook to sell them. This was due to over stocking with the livebears having lost of babies.

 

[creeker]

I had a population explosion of Marigold Variatus. My local fs has a "donation tank." They take in donated fish and put them in there. Customers that want them can choose fish from the tank at no charge. I felt good leaving a bag of fish there.

 

[MBOU]

I think its such a shame that people can just get...bored of their pets that they made a commitment to keep...

You wouldnt see people doing it with cats or dogs.. "oh im bored of this dog, shall we take it to the shelter and pick out a new one dear?" ...

But fish have always been expendable...

I had someone wanting to buy a common plec yesterday and even after me showing them our huge ones...and then saying they can get twice that size... he was like "oh...but i can bring it back when it gets too big cant i?"... err no. Of course i was never going to sell it, he had a 60L tank anyway.

I guess small fish like tetras and guppies will be easy enough to shift but tbh im quite happy with the rule of not taking in anyone elses fish. We arent a swap shop.

 

[micko]

I think its such a shame that people can just get...bored of their pets that they made a commitment to keep...

You wouldnt see people doing it with cats or dogs.. "oh im bored of this dog, shall we take it to the shelter and pick out a new one dear?" ...

But fish have always been expendable...

I had someone wanting to buy a common plec yesterday and even after me showing them our huge ones...and then saying they can get twice that size... he was like "oh...but i can bring it back when it gets too big cant i?"... err no. Of course i was never going to sell it, he had a 60L tank anyway.

I guess small fish like tetras and guppies will be easy enough to shift but tbh im quite happy with the rule of not taking in anyone elses fish. We arent a swap shop.

I was under the impression this was guppy fry and not adults. After re-reading it I totally agree. Research fish prior to getting them I believe.
I understand peoples idea's can change around their tanks and stocking but I always think its good to build around the stocking you already had, or buy another tank for the other fish you want.

As MBOU aptly wrote, it is a shame.

 

[soybean]

I don't think you can compare a guppy to a dog. There isn't the same level of bonding, training and emotional attachment. I see the point about expendable pets, but a guppy won't pine and mope for its owner once added to a different tank - it'll swim, feed and mate, much like it did before.

 

[CrazyAirborne]

I don't think you can compare a guppy to a dog. There isn't the same level of bonding, training and emotional attachment. I see the point about expendable pets, but a guppy won't pine and mope for its owner once added to a different tank - it'll swim, feed and mate, much like it did before.

AGREED.

They arent the same. I dont think you can compare them.

 

[StandbySetting]

I do agree with MBOU - to some extent, you must think of future possibilities, if you want to prevent guppy fry then buy all males. Fish are not disposable or something you keep for a few weeks decide you don't like and then swap for something else.

If I were her I'd find the fry homes keep the existing adults and buy additional tanks for the Betta's she wants, what's a 1-2 gallon tank? I think most people have space for a tank of that volume, or a larger tank divided, maybe she could divide the current tank to house them?