The Lfs And Betta Treatment

[Rhiannon]

Today was the last straw for me at the LFS.

This LFS, that I have complained about before, is the biggest chain store in all massive shopping centres all over Australia (aussies will know who I mean).

I was already in a very bad mood, as I have been all day, my birth of my little boy is very soon and I dont want to be pregnant anymore, I just cant handle it, so if anyone crosses me, thats it, I have been biting everyones heads off.

Well we walk down to the fish section, and what do I see, a Betta, in one of those cup size mini tanks, with 2 inches of water, the water WAS NOT even covering its back.

Omg, I was in shock.

I said to my husband..

(And btw, this is what I have written to the company)

I was showing my husband and telling him that Betta's need at least 2.5gl to 5gl (19 litres) to live a normal life and that it was totally and utterly cruel having a Betta in 2 inches of water.

One of the young teenage male shop assistants said "excuse me what did you just say" and I said "this is absolutley cruel, they need at least 5gl to be happy" he said "well siamese fighting fish will ONLY survive in little amounts of water". I then proceeded to tell him that I am an active member of a tropical fish forum that has nearly 25,000 members from all over the world, and huge majority of the members specialise in Betta's. I told him if he wants the website address to go and look up how they should be cared for, I will give it to him, but he walked off in a huff (he was a very rude young man).

Can you believe that. He said they will only survive in little amounts of water!

While he was walking off, I also said "and look at this fish. He has had all of his bottom fins torn off. What the hell are you guys thinking here"? (this was another poorly looked after Betta).

I just cant believe the mis - information that is going around. I cant believe these people work in shops and have no knowledge what so ever. I am a nurse, this would be like me, who is a general nurse, who is used to working on a normal everyday ward, go into a cardiac ward and start using all the heart equipment that keeps people alive. Its just not on, you need to know your stuff.

People need educating. God it annoys me.

So I wrote a huge email, used quotes from the Betta forum here to the management, told them to start educating their staff, and if I come in this week and find that Betta in the same environment I left it in, RSPCA will be getting a call (not that they will probably do anything), but its worth the threat.

Arrrrgggghhhh I could scream right now. My husband doesnt have a mean bone in his body, he is just so passive nothing worries him, but when he saw this treatment, he was fuming.

So thats my vent. I had to get it out.

Rhiannon

 

[liz2]

Oh that is awful...I know how you feel and you can rant as much as you like.
They have got slightly better round here I think it is people moaning at them so it does make a difference. I would have had to buy the bettas BUT I know thats not the answer as they just get replacements...
ps my daughter in law is expecting her baby in about 4 weeks and she was in a right strop yesterday..they have had to get a carpet cleaner for the 2 small rugs in front room as they are not clean (they are honestly) also she has acat with kittens and wont go near them in case they have fleas...very uptight at the moment in that house. Got to go son has just rang daughter in law is losing fluid so can we have toddler while she gets it checked.....

 

[K.J.]

That is terrible... I wouldn't blame the employee, though, as he was advised that, and you were advised otherwise... so just think of him in your situation, you'd be mad if someone questioned you. But on another hand, it's so sad people treat fish like that.

 

[Phaedra]

Good for you! I think it's about damn time people started getting angry, maybe the LPS's would think twice about how they treat their fish. I can just imagine you standing in the aisle pregnant and righteous. Go Rhia!

In my short time learning and talking about fish, I've discovered that a LOT of people seem to think that they know everything there is to know despite how amazingly idiotic some of the ideas are- and sometimes it just seems impossible to get through to them.
I seem to remember you talking about this pet store before. I would go ahead and report them to the RSPCA without waiting to find out if they changed their ways. It certainly doesn't sound very likely.

 

[Rhiannon]

Good for you! I think it's about damn time people started getting angry, maybe the LPS's would think twice about how they treat their fish. I can just imagine you standing in the aisle pregnant and righteous. Go Rhia!

In my short time learning and talking about fish, I've discovered that a LOT of people seem to think that they know everything there is to know despite how amazingly idiotic some of the ideas are- and sometimes it just seems impossible to get through to them.
I seem to remember you talking about this pet store before. I would go ahead and report them to the RSPCA without waiting to find out if they changed their ways. It certainly doesn't sound very likely.

Yes I will report them.

And yes I am very pregnant, huge actually, can hardly walk, I have to waddle, and I am mad. lol.

 

[SouthernCross]

Hi Rhiannon,

I'm an Aussie too - I couldn't guess what shop you were talking about so I went through your other threads until I found out! I'm in NSW, and I have to say I've never heard of this chainstore. The only places I'll buy fish from are independent (not part of a franchise) specialist aquarium shops that have been around forever that sell nothing but fish and fish stuff. Do you not have any good specialist shops you could go to?
There's a few of those giant discount pet barns around with fish (the types that sell bulk pet food), then there's a few shopping centre style pet stores. I only ever go in there to look occasionally - usually only to be disgusted by the condition of the fish, the number of dead floaters, and the unbelievable mixing of inappropriate species in the tanks. Would never give them my business. Wouldn't dream of putting any of their fish in with mine either - just asking for a disease. Actually, I'll have my own little petstore rant if you don't mind! "Pet stores" disgust me in general. They're the types of places that source their puppies from puppy farms - places incredibly cruel to dogs (kept in cages and forced to constantly breed and produce) and cater to "trend" dogs like those ridiculous "spoodles", "cockapoos" and "labradoodles" and whatnot - and charge $600-$800 for what is essentially a "mongrel" dog. Meanwhile, both my gorgeous "mongrel" German Shepherd cross dogs are RSPCA adoptions. I have to restrain myself from telling people off about buying puppies from petstores - they're only facilitating the demand and increasing the problem. Buy from a reputable breeder or rescue a pound puppy! Raaa! *Rant over...*

Yes, I am very passionate about dogs as well as my fish sorry for hijacking your thread with my little rant! We all need to vent sometimes. I share your disdain for petstores - for more than just fishy reasons! If only we could get more likeminded people... but a lot of people see what they see in the petstores and assume this is the norm for taking care of those fish - take them home and treat them equally as poorly out of sheer ignorance.

Good luck with your campaign against this store. I'll keep an eye out if you post what happens.

 

[Jaded12]

The thing I hate that so very few people seem to understand is the fact that the bettas WE keep, the bettas that THEY sell in their stores are NOT the same wild bettas that lives in streams in thailand. So saying that our domesticated bettas don't need a lot of water because in the wild they live in rice paddles in asia. Thats like saying wolves can take down a full grown bear, so that means my minerature poodle can too. It's just idiotic!! And good for you on your campain, I have been getting on the nerves of a lot of stores around here, even got one wal*mart to change their act completely!! Being persistent can be very effective!!

 

[lisa_perry75]

In the dry season bettas can survive in small pools made by animals footprints, but they can jump out to try to find another one... Now, this is only the dry season, most of the time they have the run of shallow water like streams and rice paddies... And actually they cover a pretty MAJOR area in thailand.

 

[fishlette]

Today was the last straw for me at the LFS.

This LFS, that I have complained about before, is the biggest chain store in all massive shopping centres all over Australia (aussies will know who I mean).

I was already in a very bad mood, as I have been all day, my birth of my little boy is very soon and I dont want to be pregnant anymore, I just cant handle it, so if anyone crosses me, thats it, I have been biting everyones heads off.

Well we walk down to the fish section, and what do I see, a Betta, in one of those cup size mini tanks, with 2 inches of water, the water WAS NOT even covering its back.

Omg, I was in shock.

I said to my husband..

(And btw, this is what I have written to the company)

I was showing my husband and telling him that Betta's need at least 2.5gl to 5gl (19 litres) to live a normal life and that it was totally and utterly cruel having a Betta in 2 inches of water.

One of the young teenage male shop assistants said "excuse me what did you just say" and I said "this is absolutley cruel, they need at least 5gl to be happy" he said "well siamese fighting fish will ONLY survive in little amounts of water". I then proceeded to tell him that I am an active member of a tropical fish forum that has nearly 25,000 members from all over the world, and huge majority of the members specialise in Betta's. I told him if he wants the website address to go and look up how they should be cared for, I will give it to him, but he walked off in a huff (he was a very rude young man).

Can you believe that. He said they will only survive in little amounts of water!

While he was walking off, I also said "and look at this fish. He has had all of his bottom fins torn off. What the hell are you guys thinking here"? (this was another poorly looked after Betta).

I just cant believe the mis - information that is going around. I cant believe these people work in shops and have no knowledge what so ever. I am a nurse, this would be like me, who is a general nurse, who is used to working on a normal everyday ward, go into a cardiac ward and start using all the heart equipment that keeps people alive. Its just not on, you need to know your stuff.

People need educating. God it annoys me.

So I wrote a huge email, used quotes from the Betta forum here to the management, told them to start educating their staff, and if I come in this week and find that Betta in the same environment I left it in, RSPCA will be getting a call (not that they will probably do anything), but its worth the threat.

Arrrrgggghhhh I could scream right now. My husband doesnt have a mean bone in his body, he is just so passive nothing worries him, but when he saw this treatment, he was fuming.

So thats my vent. I had to get it out.

Rhiannon

i think i know the chain you are referring to and if i am right i see the same thing in the stores here as well. theyre a chain that specialises in making money, having pretty looking stores and hiring people who have absoluely no idea...but then when you try and tell them something they act like gods gift and thats that!!!

i wouldnt hold your breath on a reply from them though. i wrote a similar email to a store here in brisbane (not the chain) outlining some HUGE issues they had in their store and so far not a word. with what i said i had seen, any NORMAL lfs would be getting back to me in no time apologising profusely and promosing to fix all the problems and then offer me a discount at the store to get me back. i work at an lfs myself (dont worry, a reputable one ) and i know word of mouth even regarding other pet stores is a major customer influence. i certainly wont be even mentioning this plcae to anyone again.

i mean seriously, who would ever think that a beautiful fish like a betta needs to be kept in not enough water to even cover their fins? even the dumbest of employees should know that fish live in water...not half in half out grrrrr

anyway, vent away...warranted vent i think

 

[t.ropical_m.istx3]

good job for complaining.
i know i'll never get a response here so i just complain to anyone i'm with very loudly.

 

[Amunet]

good job for complaining.
i know i'll never get a response here so i just complain to anyone i'm with very loudly.

Lol.. that's about what I do as well. I'm pretty shy irl so speaking up and saying something to someone probably isn't going to happen.

I'm glad some people do complain though when things aren't right! I hope you give them hell until they change their ways and start teaching their employees better

 

[Phaedra]

Yes I will report them.

And yes I am very pregnant, huge actually, can hardly walk, I have to waddle, and I am mad. lol.

I can just perfectly imagine that! I'll bet being pregnant gave your complaints extra weight. [Edit: Lol! No pun intended, sorry Ria!]

Did you have any trouble trying to find a place to report them to? I had a horrible experience yesterday at a new LFS I went to (Nature Boy Garden & Pet in Washington, DON'T go there). The manager wasn't there, but I WILL be giving them a call. I can't even begin to describe the horrors I saw. I don't even like to think about it today. I'm trying to find a good place to report them, but can't seem to find anything other than the local humane society, which will also be getting a call later on today from yours truly.
My poor fiance was with me while I stood there in front of a guppy tank watching a poor VT betta with horrible fungal infection float face up, struggling to swim properly. My honey is a bit shy and was begging me not to make a scene. Let me tell you though, it was horrific.

 

[laurasbetta]

I know LPS are different all over the world, but the major chains in the USA keep their Bettas in little round globes with about 4-6 ounces of water colored blue. Any idea what the blue stuff is? Is it some kind of preservative/medication or just blue dye to make them look prettier?

 

[Phaedra]

I've heard that the blue is medication. I'd probably ask just to make sure though. I've never seen any bettas in blue water.

 

[catherine896]

I know what you mean about being pregnant! My first child is nearly 3 weeks old, I gave a good scaring to everyone in my last couple months! Still am now infact lol!
I got my first rescue betta who has now sadly died from my LFS and I got him for £0.80 (originally £4.99) 'cos I told the guy he shouldnt of been in the tank he was in I think I paniced him that I was going to complain. Since then I havent seen another betta in the wrong tank! Except for with the neons but they all seemed OK together when I was there last!

Well done for making a complaint, hopefully they will do something about it. I cant believe that it wasnt even in enough water to cover its back thats just horrible