Laws Covering Sales Of Fish?

[abih2005]

I was curious to know whether any laws protect the wellbeing of fish in LFSs? It's clear from lots of post that people are purchasing fish with inaccurate advice given, no knowledge of cycling etc - surely shops selling livestock should be monitored?

 

[kelvinrankin767]

I know in the uk now its illegal to sell fish to anyone under the age of 16, This is a very new law only introduced early this year where a man got arrested for selling a goldfish to a child Got in alot of trouble with trading standards.

 

[Gvilleguy]

In the USA I do not know of any laws requiring proper knowledge on the part of the customers. Although certainly a good idea for the well being of thousands and thousands of fish in uncycled tanks, I can't imagine the enforcement policy, and in my opinion the big box pet stores would not want it. They want to sell fish, and as long as they live past the two week warranty, they are happy.

 

[Gilli]

Its a disgrace that fish shops can sell fish with no guidelines on their welfare or worse still give you bad advise! I think a law should be brought in making all fish shops ask customers if their tank is cycled before purchasing fish, and if not to have to give out give a leaflet on cycling a tank with fish out and in for all fish or new tank purchases.

Also I think they should be made to have a small printed card next to each species tank stating the grown size of the fish, compatibility with others, feeding and temperature requirements ect ect. Not everyone will read them before buying, but some will and if it stops the suffering of even just a few fish from ignorance then it would be well worth it. Neither of these suggestions would cost the fish shop much so I dont see why anyone would object.

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

Its a bizarre scenario when there is a verbal "Spanish Inquisition" and paperwork to fill out to buy the likes of rabbits; guinea pigs; hamsters etc., all that breathe the same atmosphere as us through their lives...

Yet we can walk into a fish store and buy any fish that takes our fancy without any laws being broken (but in fairness some staff at some stores do ask the right questions of the buyers and do answer questions form the buyers), which live in a different atmosphere to us, surrounded by food and waste contaminants...

 

[mark4785]

One particular LFS I visit often does have a notice making reference to the fact that you must be aged 16 to purchase a goldfish and I believe it does put emphasis on taking care of the fish. I think these kind of measures alone prevent unnecessary suffering as children cannot walk in and purchase something that they don't know the anatomy of and the basic knowledge that allows them to care of the fish adequately. A friend of mine, aged 6, purchased various goldfish and shubunkins and they had become deceased within 48 hours as he didn't know their water needed to be dechlorinated and wasn't aware of how much space they needed etc. A catastrophy is less likely to happen thanks to the new age requirement.

 

[OldMan47]

I am going to take a different tack than many here. I bought my first fish at about 8 years old and it got treatment as good as the hobby knew how to give at the time, not up to today's standards. I have known people well over 30 who try to get away with uncycled tanks and just feed a bit of flake every day. They know nothing, or care little, about water changes and similar subjects. Although an age limit will mean three is a better chance of the buyer being somewhat mature, maturity is not a function of simple aging, it is a function of learning and the environment a person grows up in. Even with an intensive quiz into fish keeping principles before a sale, there would be no guarantee the person would go home to apply the standards.