Wal-Mart Fish

LadyViper · 07-05-2006, 11:42 AM

I hate Wal-Mart, they just sicken me. Anytime I am in there, I make it a point to check out the fish. The last time I was in there, almost every tank had Ich. It was disgusting to see the little fish stressed, and looking like they were rolled in salt. The Betta bowls were disgusting, and brown and the smell was horrible. There was a dead fish laying the in the sink, and a couple in some of the tanks. Even though there were all these problems, there was not one sign on any tank saying the fish were not for sale. It was horrible, and I wanted to buy them all to try to save their lives. Unfortunately, having the time, money, and space to invest in all of Wal-Marts atrocities was more than I could do. I wish they would just stop selling fish, and give them a fighting chance at life.

kelkat · 07-06-2006, 09:02 AM

You should report them. There has to be somebody that regulates the sale of fish. Game and wildlife? I don't know, maybe just the better buisness. Tell somebody - call the local news media. Could be they've had an off day and would like to "stick it" to someone big.

I'm not a walmart fan for anything. It seems to me that they come in to a community all bright and shiny offering lots of choices and great deals - until all of the competition is gone. Then they let the store go to pot, pull most of there selections, and don't much worry about the public and what they think. Where else are they going to shop.

Another idea is to call an aquarium store. They might know who you can contact in your area about "fish" cruelty.

NortH · 07-06-2006, 04:16 PM

Walmart is a decent enough store for day to day items and such, but really, like all large stores and bulk type stores, should STAY AWAY from selling live animals/fish!

They have no one there that is remotely clued in on the raising of, or caring for, fish... and I am betting most there do not care one way or the other about them - the minimum wage employees just do the minimum amount needed to sell the fish... there is, from what I have seen and experienced, little to no maintenance done and more fish die than are ever sold - it is a total waste.

They really should stick to what they do best and leave fish to fish/aquarium stores... let the pros handle the job since they can't seem to.

~NortH~

kelkat · 07-07-2006, 08:26 AM

I still say we boycott Wallyworld. All the fish lovers of the world unite!

It seems you aren't the only one who noticed a problem. Lots of the major stores don't have the people with the knowledge (or concern) to care for the animals they have. You might try contacting the manager of that store and letting him know there is a problem. It may be that they simply don't know and your help would be greatly appreciated. Next, you just move up the ladder. Somewhere along the rungs you are liable to find someone who cares that they are throwing money down the toilet! Even if they don't care about the fish.

Kathy · 07-26-2006, 09:51 AM

I actually had 3 fish from WalMart that lived for almost 2 years, would probably still be if I hadn't added a 4th fish and stressed out the tank.

I think the fact that I had them for 2 years had to do with timing and luck; I must have gotten them right after they came to the store, and they were my first fish ever so it was pure luck with the tank cycling.

After my fish died I tried again. As you said all the tanks have ich, some fish don't swim right, some are dead. The tanks aren't cycled, the lighting isn't right, etc.,etc. The poor babies are already stressed or sick when you buy them, so what chance do they have.

Finally, I gave up on WalMart fish. I went to a local pet pet store that sells only fish and their supplies. The owner told me another problem with WalMart fish is that they get shocked by the laser going through the door. So besides being sickly, they get another whammie.

Why do they sell fish, 'cuz inexperienced people buy them, plus you buy fish you buy a tank, supplies, a stand, food. So your fish may be $1.88 each, but you spend about $200.00 on everything else. Our WalMart also has a 3 month return policy on the fish; they die, bring them in with your receipt and get a refund or more fish.

I'm not against WalMart, I buy other stuff there. IMHO, they just shouldn't sell fish.

Smiles,

Kathy

fishboy · 07-27-2006, 01:16 AM

I didnt know Walmart sold fish.. not surprising though, they sell everything!
Still its like buying from a general pet shop... they have likely been there forever. I only buy from proper aquariums where the fish are actually looked after.

jasno999 · 07-27-2006, 12:35 PM

MY 2 Cents:

Walmart is a great store. It has almost everythign you could want or need all under one roof. At the same tiem it always have some of the cheapest prices around. YEs the stores are lackluster and many times they are dirty or not in order. Reason for that is they do nto have enough staff and the staff they do have gets paid next to nothing and they get no training.

However if they did have a large trained and well paid staff then the prices would nto be as low as they are. It is give and take. I will take the store the way it is for the prices that I can get.

Fish on the other hand should nto be handled by a chain store like this. FIch are living htings and they need trained caring people to take care of them. And you don't get that a walmart. I agree let them sell everyhting else but not livestock.

HollysMom · 07-27-2006, 02:13 PM

I agree that Walmart should not be selling fish, but we must be lucky around here as the tanks at our local store are always sparkling clean. I guess it's like any other department in the store--some managers and employees are better than others. That, again, is another good reason not to buy fish from there.

I have to wonder at the information about the fish being "zapped" by lasers when they come into the store. First, most deliveries are handled through the rear of the store, where there are no electric eyes. Second, the beams are concentrated in a narrowly defined area. Not every fish is going to be at the level of the electric eye--and neither is the intensity of that beam likely to damage all of the fish in its proximity. Third, it sounds like something someone would say, not based in fact, to "prove" their superiority over a competitor. I'd take it with a grain of salt.

ahill3780 · 08-01-2006, 01:26 PM

I am no supporter for Wallyworld's ability to maintain and sell fish, far from it in fact as I agree they should not. But being a supporter of good faith attempts and having the belief that everyone should be given the benefit of the doubt I must make a stand on Wal-marts behalf and offer mitigation.

I have found many aquarium supply stores that claim to be professional whose tanks are just as overcrowded, and just as poorly maintained as the vast majority of the Wal-mart chains. However, several of the WM's in my area have made a complete 360 and put a lot of effort into their aquarium department as a result of complaints from customers and they are starting to do a much better job. The WM that my brother previously worked at for example, had one of the best aquarium departments that I have ever seen in a retail store. Their water quality was well maintiained, the livestock were better fed than most pet stores livestock are, special attention was paid to the health of the fish and when outbreaks of ich ocurred they prompty halted the sale and took steps to quarantine and treat the infection, and they put forth an excellent effort in only hiring skilled and/or dedicated people to run the department. For instance, the salesman there will ask the customer what their intentions are with their livestock purchase, and if they suspect that you are intending to use your purchase as "fodder" for your cichlids or oscars then they will refuse to sell to you - and I agree with them.

I realize that this is merely 2 stores in a chain of thousands across the nation, but if I can see such an improvement in these two in my area alone then I can have faith in the abilities of the rest to make such a turnaround. However, I believe that these changes were instigated by the brash of complaints that were lodged by concerned consumers like you and I, so I urge you to make your opinions known to both the management in your local store as well as to the corporate office.

I like the idea that I can pick up supplies and fish from the convenience of my local WM, but I also believe that they should only be permitted to do so if they are willing to show responsibility and respect the needs of these living organisms. If they don't want take care of the fish, then they should have their license revoked and only be permitted to sell supplies.

Aquatic_Fan · 08-01-2006, 06:21 PM

I HATE Walmart's fish. There was one time when I wanted paradise fish and Walmart was the only place in town that stocked them, so I was forced to buy there, or, at least, I thought I would try their fish. Anyway, I ask for some help in getting my fish. And a guy comes up and is completely loud and unstable with his arms( I assume he was a little bit mentally problemated). And he caught the fish and, when trying to get the fish into the bag(at this point, I'm starting to re-think my decision), he DROPPED it!! The poor fish fell from a good height..............And I walked out of that Walmart, with the poor paradise fish, never to return to buy their fish stock. That fish lived a short while, but died not too long afterward.