Returning Miss Sold Fish To A Lfs

[thefishmesswithmywater]

I was miss sold a Clown Loach as I stupidly bought a fish I had not researched. I am new to the hobby and did the whole fishless cycle to make sure I didn't cause any suffering. So now I have to grow a pair and deal with it. My question is how is the best way to go about it? What experiences have you had? Thanks Nena

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Be firm, but fair.  Do not be argumentative or accusatory.  Be honest.  Say that you bought the fish being unaware of how big it would grow and what its needs are.  Tell them that you would like to return the fish because you really can't care for it as it should be cared for.
 
 
A few other points to consider:

• Call ahead so that they know you are coming.  This will save you the effort of bagging, etc. if they are just going to refuse to take the fish (unlikely).
• Bring the receipt if you still have it.  This makes everything much smoother.
• Don't expect either store credit or a refund... if you get either then good, if not then just leave knowing that you are doing what is right for the fish.

 
Incidentally, if they won't take the fish, or offer at least store credit (if you have a receipt) I'd be looking for another LFS if at all possible. 
 
If you call and they won't take the fish back, then I'd start calling other LFS and asking them, being extremely apologetic and ask for their help... this might help you find a more appropriate store, ultimately.  One that actually gives better advice or at least mentions that you are purchasing a potential tank buster fish.  Clowns are always best in groups, so that's another reason that it was a poor sale by the LFS.

 

[thefishmesswithmywater]

That was awful just spoke to the LFS and they told me that my tank is appropriate and they hide a lot! Fuming is not the word! I'm not even bothered about the money. So unhappy right now.

 

[thefishmesswithmywater]

I am glad that I know not to return him there because he will obviously be sold on wrongfully also. Can you actually do anything about this? My nearest fs is selling sturgeons for tropical aquariums and the next two nearest the fish are always ill. I was driving 40mins to the nearest recommended and that hasn't worked out well.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

That was awful just spoke to the LFS and they told me that my tank is appropriate and they hide a lot! Fuming is not the word! I'm not even bothered about the money. So unhappy right now.

 
 
That's quite unfortunate.  Honestly the next best thing would be to look into a local fish club.  They will be able to advise you beter than I can here, being from the US.
 
 
Out of curiosity, do you know the role of the person that you spoke to?  Was it the owner?  If it wasn't, I think I'd ask to speak with the owner directly. If it was the owner, I'd call them back - or stop in, whichever you prefer and share some facts with them. 
 
Here's a bunch of facts that they need to know if they are going to be selling clown loaches: http/www.loaches.com/species-index/clown-loach-chromobotia-macracanthus
 
 

Maximum size: 16 inches
...
Care: This is a wonderful loach, but too large for most hobbyist aquariums. Allowed a minimum of 75 gallons or more, young Clown Loaches thrive in groups. They require large turnover, efficient filtration systems and current supplied by additional power-heads, frequent water-changes and great attention to cleanliness in the aquarium.
...
Notes
 
Clown Loaches are often sold at the very immature size of 1.5 inches (4cm) or so, but they should not be considered for the smaller (or even medium-sized) aquarium. They will grow quite rapidly from this cute size to around 5 inches (13cm), thereafter the growth slows somewhat, but with good care in a large tank, they can easily reach 8 to 12 inches (20 - 30 cm). They are big, bulky fish at that size.
 
A potential owner should seriously consider the long-term commitment in purchasing a group of this species, as they will require ever- increasing size of aquaria and may potentially live at least twice as long as some small dogs.
...
They must be kept in groups. The absolute minimum recommendation is 5, but basically the more the merrier.

 

[thefishmesswithmywater]

I have visited a few more shops and found a shop who can take my loach and find a suitable home! Had a really good chat and he was disappointed with the shop that had sold it knowing my tank size. I feel much better and have somewhere I can trust.
OATA in the UK ask you to support shops with there licences is this the only kind of association to give out a licence?
I really think more regulation is a must.

 

[rms]

I've been miss sold clowns as well. I didn't know much about them but I explained I had a 55l tank and asked if this would be big enough. I also asked if two would be ok, do they prefer larger numbers. They said they would be fine. This was a guy who said he'd been fish keeping for 30 years. I doubt it was a lack of knowledge, just bare faced lying. Luckily for me there's another one the other end of town. First time I went in I asked about buying one clown loach for a 55l tank. They past with flying colours

 

[TrickySpot]

I have visited a few more shops and found a shop who can take my loach and find a suitable home! Had a really good chat and he was disappointed with the shop that had sold it knowing my tank size. I feel much better and have somewhere I can trust.
OATA in the UK ask you to support shops with there licences is this the only kind of association to give out a licence?
I really think more regulation is a must.

 Hear hear!!
 
I was sold so many fish wrongly in the beginning it was atrocious, but starting with a big tank also makes you very eager as a beginner. I would LOVE to see certain species banned from sale, I was sold 2 more plecos, when I already had one pleco in a 180L....the bigger one turned into a monster the last few days and I was very lucky that a local shop (chain store in Berkshire and surrounds), took him in. Having said this, for me it seems the chains sell more suitable fish than the one-off smaller stores....the same shop above wouldn't sell me fish a few years ago until I could prove my tank was cycled! Much to my annoyance!

 

[thefishmesswithmywater]

I think naming and shaming may be against the rules as my post disappeared oops! Living and learning.
Fish crazy I will use your technique in future. The shop I found yesterday only sell full sized plecs! I never knew there were such cute fully grown small plecs. Bulldog pleco not suitable for me but never thought I would even consider a plec.

 

[b3cca]

If you kept a dog or horse is squalid cramped unhealthy conditions the RSPCA would be called and you could be jailed and would certainly banned from keeping animals.
 
it's crazy how People can say, buy 50 clowns and stick them in an unfiltered uncycled 10 gallon tank if they wish with no repercussions which IMO is stupid.
maybe fishes lives aren't valued as much because they're not all cute and furry and Just because they can't cry out or show emotion doesn't mean they're not suffering.

 

[Gruntle]

I wonder about this myself, I was sold half a dozen comets for a 130l tank! Maybe they thought I wouldn't treat them well and they'd die, and I'd buy some more <insert something about them not living very long or any other excuse>.
 
We live and learn. I'm so grateful for a community that cares for fish! Just wish I'd found this sooner.

 

[thefishmesswithmywater]

I do wonder if fish were more expensive if it would make people care more? I can't understand how in the digital age people still know so little. I got caught out on the loaches but I had done research to cycle my tank and learn as much as I could. Someone has repeatedly told me to flush fish if they pass on, despite my enlightening speech on clove oil, the magic u bend has them suckered . I can see people getting a lot more well meant speeches !