Keeping Nemo

[Melody]

The Clownfish has to be one of the most commonly abused fish as of late. The kids see them in pet stores and start begging for their very own Nemo. To give you an idea of what is involved in 'keeping Nemo', I thought I'd share this article (http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/show_article.php?article_id=109) from Practical Fishkeeping Magazine.

While we're on the topic, couldn't the movie industry be more responsible with this kind of thing? Certainly the fault is on the shoulders of the people who purchase without research, but an ounce of prevention couldn't hurt. Even if they had some sort of message saying that parents should research before purchasing fish or something similar. Story books could have the same thing. Too many people think its just a matter of a fishbowl and water and they aren't necessarily bad people, just uneducated.

Maybe as hobbyists, a proactive thing to do would be to spread the word as soon as a fish stars in a tv show or movie. A campaign of sorts that would include an article like the one above, which could also be posted on parenting websites.:yes:

[WaterPond]

At least nemos can take a small amount of abuse without them dieing.

I just betcha that a certain percentage of people that read that article think the same thing applies to dory aswell.

Good article, covers everything and is definately enough to sort out the worthy fishkeepers and the unworthy.

[hp10BII]

Heard a story from a friend who volunteers time @ a reef store. Had a few people come in asking for the nemo fish. Wouldn't sell it to them because they didn't even know they were marine fish. Too many buy expecting them to die within a short time.

[Melody]

We should print a copy of aforementioned articles when these characters come out and give it to stores to hand out to parents who want to buy them for little Johnny.

[WaterPond]

I remember one time, there was a kid that came in to the LFS, just all alone, a little kid.

He asked the lady at the store for a pleco and a clownfish. I asked him what size tank he had. He said he had one of those marina goldfish 3gallons. I said "thats the only tank?"

He said, yes...

I said "wouldent you rather have one of these little guys", pointing to the otos.

He said no... He got to the checkout with his pleco(a big one, about 5") and a small clownfish, like he asked for.

The ladt at the checkout said "thats 47.95"

I LAUGHED sooo hard, the kid had like 5 bucks on him. Then the lady asked, do you even have a marine tank? and he said, whats that? Then she put the clownfish back and sent the kid home. She kindof snapped, i felt sorry for the kid.

:rolleyes:

[Melody]

Another 'where was the parents?' situation :rolleyes:

[WaterPond]

I was just there today and they had a sign saying "Children under the age of 14 must be accomanied by an adult"

Then underneath in small print it said "all children must be leashed and cleaned up after" :laugh: meant as a joke of course.

[Melody]

:laugh:

[CACAdmin]

Good for them... obviously, they have decided to try to do something on their part to try to stop kids from buying fish they know nothing about nor have the capacity to care for.

[Katalyst]

Good for them... obviously, they have decided to try to do something on their part to try to stop kids from buying fish they know nothing about nor have the capacity to care for.
Now only if they could do the same with adults. :NoSass:

[WaterPond]

Fish stores should have bouncers. LOL, i can picture it now

"Got a tank setup for those fish?"

"Uhmm, no, we are setting it up when we get home"

"I'm sorry, but i'm going to have to ask you to leave"

Whatdaya think? ::D:

[Melody]

:rofl: I think that someday you'll own one of the best fish stores in Canada, that's what I think. ::D:

[Slipstream]

haha.. tis too funny, but how about overkill (not salt water i know, but funny anyways).. LOL.. i sold about 80 neons about 6 months ago, (the only time i tried breeding) and this family came in, a mom, dad, and three kids, the kids were about 9, 12, and 15. So they ask me if they could buy one neon for their empty tank, so i asked, they actually preffer to be in pairs. And a couple would fill up a tank better, so they asked how many i suggest they buy, so, like usual, i ask how big their tank was, and get this, they have a 95 gallon tank, and they wanted ONE tetra. I kinda looked at them like they were crazy, and pointed out that theyd never find the fish again if they put just one in, lol. so i sold them a 10gal and told them to use that one instead.. LOL, and sold them 4 neons. I mean cummon, if people are gonna buy life, they should know how to take care of it, kinda like having a baby, ya shouldnt have one unless you do research. :)