Your rules

If you could, how would you improve the aquatic industry - what would you change, what rules would you make etc.

Me personally i would have similar rules that apply to all pets

also all fish would have to be labled properly and given a guide with each purchase for that species

also you would need to provide a picture of current tanks and tankmates befor you were able to buy

also then ban any unfiltered tank unless buying seperates but filter has to be purchased on the same day

and allow checks into fish abuse and mistreatment and then if found guilty should be banned from any pet at all

Well, I think every LFS should have a label on the species tanks indicating minimum tank size, maximum growth size, compatibility etc. All LFS workers should know exactly what each fish is - if I can learn the names, so can they!

My own LFS labels all species tanks with red, green and amber stickers depending on suitability for community tanks i.e. green being the most compatible, amber being "only to be mixed with certain species" and red being species specific e.g. cichlids. Not definitive but at least it's a start.

IMO dyed fish should be banned as should any genetically modified fish such as balloon mollies, parrot fish etc.

Most importantly, every LFS should be au fait with the fishless cycling method and stock info sheets and bottles of ammonia for that purpose.

Of course, if we did live in this ideal world, then this forum (and others like it) wouldn't exist, now would we?

oh i have loads of ideas for this - i would love to have my own fish shop.

all staff to go on appropriate courses for fishcare and handling and so on

all tanks in shop to be species specific

all tanks in shop to have details of fish needs - water, diet, tank

no tank sold without asking about cycling, information to be supplied with every tank

all tanks sold with small bottles of ammonia and testing kit

shop to run regular vdeo/expert talks for hobbyists and newbies

no tank sold without filter

no ugly fish sold - those ones with the bulging eyes are gross

no painted/dyed fish

make contacts with breeders and try to get captive bred whenever possible.

sorry its so long!!

you haven't thought about this much have you driver? :lol:

driver wrote:

no ugly fish sold - those ones with the bulging eyes are gross

Ah but beauty is in the eye of the beholder, driver e.g I think Oscars are very ugly fish and would never have one but a lot of people think they're gorgeous.

No goldfish sold with bowls. In fact, ban bowls from fish stores completely,use them for potted plants instead.
Jackie

Well I think I am right in saying that Pets at Home here in the UK have now stopped selling bowls and any tanks without filters, so that is a start at least.

How can they manage that though.. i guess they can just make people aware that ALL fish require filtration
There are many instances where someone would need to buy a tank without filtration. It's difficult, they need to start selling ammonia and telling people about the fishless cycle instead of... 'here are a few hardy fish, they'll be fine'

I think they are still selling tanks that dont have filters in them - I know the P@H near me is selling Clearseal tanks that just have plain lids, but as you say MC they are peobably checking with people they understand the need for filtration etc.

Obviously the UK is ahead of the game. That sort of enlightened thinking is not even on the horizon here in the US.
I also think the industry needs to get away from the myth that goldfish are a "beginner's fish". They are one of the messiest fish availible & take a great deal of water changes & plant adjustments, not to mention growth potential. Hardly the sort of postive experience for someone starting out. Why aren't bettas recommended instead? They are much easier to care for & stay the same size throughout their lives. Do pet stores not know any better or just don't care?
Jackie

I love goldfish I am afraid I am one of the people who years ago had one in a bowl , but of course know betta (get it?) now.

I think with betta's though, they are poorly promoted because you get some selling them in little tiny vases etc, when they need a decen sized tank just like any fish.