Funny thing when ever i google info, advise or what not MFK always pops up in my search so why dont people just click
Some people never learn
- Thread starter AR1
- Start date
If you have ever worked in a lfs then you will know just how common this is. I ran a mostly marine based shop and because the average "big" tank was 4ft, I only kept smaller fish in stock. If someone wanted something bigger I would happily order it in if they could house it long term but most just went down the road where they would sell anything to anyone, even fish that grew bigger than the persons tank. Some would completely blame the shop for taking advantage but many of those customers had already had the conversation with me, so knew the potential size the fish would get, and wanted them anyway. This is a problem the hobby has always had and will always have but luckily enough people get flamed on forums to reduce the impact a little.
I agree; at this point, there are no excuses. With easy access to consistently updated scientific and experience-proven information, people should be more conscientious of the information they share with others, especially regarding something as important as proper animal care.
Until they ban Oscars the practice of keeping them in too small aquariums will continue. Some people don't care about research or advice. I personally tried to educate 4 associates at work. Two had goldfish and had know clue about cycling a aquarium. I told both of them and they looked at me confused. Also suggested they do research on the internet. Had 2 other associates that I warned about over stocking aquariums and compatibility unfortunately they didn't listen. Some people are very stubborn and won't change their ways.
I personally like the Oscar but know due do to my liquid rock water can't keep one properly.
Atleast you tried to guide people. The shopkeeper at my local LFS recommended keeping 1 pacu, two irredescent sharks, 1 raphael catfish, four silver dollars and 1 zebra tilapia, in a 45 gallon tank!!!!!!
He has recently shipped some alligator gars, and i was like, "these fish are probably gonna die a horrible death"
Unfortunately most of this behavior is due to money.
Money is the root of a lot of problems, including the improper care of fish
The first shipment of alligator gars the shopkeeper brought was sold when they were small, except for one, which grew up a size of 1.5 feet. It stayed in a 55 gallon tank for 6 months, after which it dissapeared. I asked the shopkeeper whter someone bought it or not, and he refused to reply, only leaving me to conclude that it died.
I discovered a long time ago now that whenever we give advice on this forum, or give an opinion or share an experience, it doesn't just remain on here for our members and visitors to glean information from.
There are sites out there that take information from forums and plaster our info and/or images all over the internet!
As an example, take my thread titled, "Leptobarbus Melanopterus". I posted this thread over a year ago to share my experiences with this new fish I'd purchased.
I updated it very recently and only the other day I entered, "Leptobarbus Melanopterus" into the search engine and within seconds a load of information came up from loads of sites, MFK included.
And when I clicked to "visit" the MFK site, it directed me to my own thread!! I've done this before with other fish threads I've started too.
Any Tom, Dick or Harry can read this information, whether they are experienced in the hobby or not. Some may take my novice advice, which may or may not be accurate, as gospel, and follow my lead on keeping this fish.
It's scary really because a lot of the misinformation you read on all these type of sites, and there are many, could well have been written by well meaning hobbyists such as ourselves. It really puts the onus on hobbyists to be careful what information they are sharing.
There are sites out there that take information from forums and plaster our info and/or images all over the internet!
As an example, take my thread titled, "Leptobarbus Melanopterus". I posted this thread over a year ago to share my experiences with this new fish I'd purchased.
I updated it very recently and only the other day I entered, "Leptobarbus Melanopterus" into the search engine and within seconds a load of information came up from loads of sites, MFK included.
And when I clicked to "visit" the MFK site, it directed me to my own thread!! I've done this before with other fish threads I've started too.
Any Tom, Dick or Harry can read this information, whether they are experienced in the hobby or not. Some may take my novice advice, which may or may not be accurate, as gospel, and follow my lead on keeping this fish.
It's scary really because a lot of the misinformation you read on all these type of sites, and there are many, could well have been written by well meaning hobbyists such as ourselves. It really puts the onus on hobbyists to be careful what information they are sharing.
