Should You Buy The Last Fish In A Tank?

[rich]

When I went to buy 3 WCMMs the other week, my LFS had exactly 3 left, I did not buy them because they were the last and may have been stressed by not being with others of their kind. (the last bottle of coke on a shelf is always dented)

However, thinking about it, they were the ones who had not yet been caught and therefore the most lively and therefore the most healthy? Ill fish would be caught easily? Does this follow?

 

[Miss Wiggle]

just have to judge it on the individual situation, if the fish and tank looks healthy and everything else in the shop is fine I'd say go for it

most fish shops have a quick enough turnover fish wouldn't really be there long enough for it to siginificantly upset them being in an unsuitable number. I saw 2 julii cory's on they're own the other week and got them cos I felt sorry for them, they looked lonely, just bought more to make up to a full shoal and they're loads happier but it doesn't seem to have done them any harm being by themselves for a bit

 

[TammyLiz]

I think if they looked healthy it should matter whether they were the last or not. Without knowing how much of a turnover your store has, how well they keep diseases down in their system, how many come in a shipment, etc, there isn't much to go on in the way of speculating whether first or last would be best. If they looked good, and there wasn't any disease on other fish in the tank (obviously not since there were no other fish), then there's no good reason not to get them. I, by the way, keep a group of 3 WCMMs and wouldn't say they seem stressed by being in a small group instead of a large one.

EDIT: You beat me to it Miss Wiggle.

 

[Talz]

When I went to buy 3 WCMMs the other week, my LFS had exactly 3 left, I did not buy them because they were the last and may have been stressed by not being with others of their kind. (the last bottle of coke on a shelf is always dented)

However, thinking about it, they were the ones who had not yet been caught and therefore the most lively and therefore the most healthy? Ill fish would be caught easily? Does this follow?

I tend to agree that generally speaking the last remaining fish would be the healthiest simpley due to the fact that they managed to avade capture for the longest amount of time, BUT it is also wise to take into account that the previous customers may have pointed out that they wanted other fish due to the fact that they were more healthy or the dealer made a point not to give out the remaining ones sooner due to some problames with the fish. I guess it could be either the way I see it, but I could be and probably am wrong

 

[jarmado]

what i have noticed on my 2 lfs..
lfs1:
-> sells fish after 1 week of arrival
-> no deaths on the ones i bought from them

lfs2:
-> sells fish the following day
-> 1 out of 3 loaches dead after several days.

MY conclusion:
-> better wait for the fish to property adjust from the stress of shipping/travel before buying them.
-> last fishes in the tank = properly adjusted/acclimatized.

 

[rich]

You can also inspect them in detail, which is easier than trying to do it in a round bag.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

what i have noticed on my 2 lfs..
lfs1:
-> sells fish after 1 week of arrival
-> no deaths on the ones i bought from them

lfs2:
-> sells fish the following day
-> 1 out of 3 loaches dead after several days.

MY conclusion:
-> better wait for the fish to property adjust from the stress of shipping/travel before buying them.
-> last fishes in the tank = properly adjusted/acclimatized.

v good point

 

[Talz]

what i have noticed on my 2 lfs..
lfs1:
-> sells fish after 1 week of arrival
-> no deaths on the ones i bought from them

lfs2:
-> sells fish the following day
-> 1 out of 3 loaches dead after several days.

MY conclusion:
-> better wait for the fish to property adjust from the stress of shipping/travel before buying them.
-> last fishes in the tank = properly adjusted/acclimatized.

v good point

Very good point

Its crazy how fast you people reply!

 

[karen84]

I have a really bad habbit of buying maybe the last fish in a tank, but only if its healthy. i feel sorry for them i dont want it to be lonely.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

been off work for a month, really can't do much except browse forums and t'internet..... you get quick with time! also i touch type and type v fast so it doesn't take long to reply!

 

[Talz]

been off work for a month, really can't do much except browse forums and t'internet..... you get quick with time! also i touch type and type v fast so it doesn't take long to reply!

Its almost like were in a live chat here!

 

[rich]

Of course if you don't buy them, you have an excuse to back to the fish shop the following week and get out of other less interesting shopping.

 

[TammyLiz]

I have a really bad habbit of buying maybe the last fish in a tank, but only if its healthy. i feel sorry for them i dont want it to be lonely.

I've done this before, too. Especially with something that is not normally stocked. If it is something common I don't have the problem because they will soon get some companions with the next shipment. I recently bought a zebra loach that way. I knew it wouldn't be ideal to have him as the only one in my tank but at least he'd be with other loaches, right? Also, they had him in a tank without a heater.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

ha ha i feel sorry for them too, think loads of people do that

 

[GaryHug24]

When I went to buy 3 WCMMs the other week, my LFS had exactly 3 left, I did not buy them because they were the last and may have been stressed by not being with others of their kind. (the last bottle of coke on a shelf is always dented)

However, thinking about it, they were the ones who had not yet been caught and therefore the most lively and therefore the most healthy? Ill fish would be caught easily? Does this follow?

Maybe if you had bought them they would have been able to out swim your goldfish I just bought 2 Cherry Barbs and they were the last 2 in the tank. Have had no problem with them yet.