Why the fish hobbist gets in trouble

[MTS]

I just got the catalog from Petsolutions.com and looked at the write-ups on the fish they sell. According to them:
Clown loaches get up to 6 inches and need at least 30 gallons.
Chinese algae eaters need 25 gal and are peaceful community fish.

At least they suggest 30 gal for a goldfish--but the reader doesn't know that means just one goldfish. My 5 goldfish were putting such a strain on a 90 gallon tank that even running two large bio-wheel filters I needed more. At much expense I upgraded one to a Eheim canister filter rated for up to 160 gallons and running it and one bio-wheel filter, I can finally relax a bit with fewer water changes.

I feel the general attitude of many fish dealers is "let the buyer beware".

By the way, if you are new to this forum, don't buy a Chinese algae eater for a community tank and give your Clown Loaches about 120 gallons and 5 Clown Loach friends.

[JonGuerriero]

FWIW, the information they give is clearly suspect, but unfortunately this is the norm and not the exception. That being said, I have ordered live fish from PetSolutions on a couple of occasions with great results.

[sypp]

We've also had good luck with PetSolutions - but I have to admit it's frustrating living within 5 miles of them and not being able to walk in and pick orders up. They say they're not zoned properly for it .

[helen nightingale]

it really does make you wonder about regualtion and how most places get to have a liscence. its bad there has been a need for things like the no clowns in a cube project.

in the UK you cant buy a kitten from a pet store - i have no idea about other countries - as thats cruel. people's attitude towards fish generally is bizarre

[JonGuerriero]

We've also had good luck with PetSolutions - but I have to admit it's frustrating living within 5 miles of them and not being able to walk in and pick orders up. They say they're not zoned properly for it .

What a minute.....


.....you mean to tell me that you live 5 minutes from PetSolutions and if you want to buy fish from them they still insist on shipping you the fish

That is utterly ridiculous