About a week and a half ago, I went to Petland, and saw some small clown loaches with a very bad case of Ich. Not wanting to offend anyone, and thinking they must have already known, I decided not to say anything. After all, I have not been involved in fishkeeping all that long, and I thought someone else with more expertise would give the diagnosis, hopefully someone who worked there. But still I wondered why they would be in the display tank. Then when I was at the same store just a couple of days ago, I made a point of visiting the clowns. I was astounded at what I saw. The ich had got so bad, it was the worst I have ever seen, and one of the clowns was lying on the floor dying!
I thought it was already dead until I saw its little gills moving. It was struggling to breathe and barely alive. This was too much. I waited for someone to come and then I called one of the staff over. I pointed out the clowns, and she thanked me for showing them to her, saying she didn't know they were sick. I felt so bad that I didn't say something the first time. It made me sick that I overestimated them and underestimated myself and my ability to do the right thing. It was very sad because I don't think that one poor clown in particular could be saved, and it was probably best to be put out of its misery. The other two were bad but looked like there was hope for them. I recommended that she take them out of the display tank and quarantine them immediately, but I did not see this happen. If I had the right kind of set-up for them, I would have taken them home and treated them myself.Then I paid a visit to the fish department at the Wal-Mart a couple of doors down. There was a tank full of weather loaches in incredibly poor condition. They were so lethargic I thought some of them were dead, and their bodies were all lumpy and bumpy, suggesting a horrible infestation of internal parasites. Some of the others looked like their heads were gigantic because their bodies were so thin. I have never seen anything like this, either, and these are one of my favourite kinds of fish. This time I informed the staff right away.
What I was wondering is if others have had this experience, and what did you do? What would be the right action to take, and what would be stepping over the line? I have thought of calling both stores, and asking them if they had done anything about their sick fish, but I wasn't sure if this would be appropriate. Then again, perhaps in some situations, "appropriateness" is overrated. I am even having trouble posting this here, because there is no delicate way to explain what I saw, what I didn't do, and what I would like to do. I am deeply troubled by the things I have been seeing and would like to do more about it, but don't know how. Part of what I have learned is not to make assumptions. I should never assume someone else will do what I know I can do. What would be great is if there was a way to ensure the humane treatment of all animals regardless of what kind.
soul-hugger
