The Puffer Forum

Haha, I read about this a few weeks back. I also read an article where they interviewed some 11 year old girl about what she thought about it and she said something along the lines of "peta say fish are clever, but they're really not". I was like you've never met a puffer young missy I agree with them that people should be educated about fish because people just don't respect them. But that's not what they're ultimately trying to do, they're just trying to get people to go vegetarian.

It doesn't help when adult swim sees that, and starts running their bumps about it....


They ran one talking about fish being sea kittens, and thats why people shouldnt eat them....then said, it had just made them curious about trying "land fish".


Could you post a copy of the letter? It applies to my local store, and me and my GF hate it, but I am not the most adept writer.

SeeingGreen wrote:Could you post a copy of the letter? It applies to my local store, and me and my GF hate it, but I am not the most adept writer.

I looked for it and couldn't find it. But here's one I wrote to Petco about their bettas, maybe you can adapt it to your own needs.
"I am disturbed by the conditions that betta fish are kept in at this and other Petcos. Last time I went in, there were about 40 bettas, and nearly half of them were dead and rotting in their little cups. This is a disgrace to Petco, and to the pet fish kept there. Bettas are miserable in those tiny cups, and it's no wonder that they die so quickly when they are forced to swim in their own waste. I am sickened and appauled by the horrible conditions these fish are subjected to. I have previously bought 5 betta fish from your store, and gave them a proper environment: a 5 gallon tank with filter and heater. These fish really bloom and get such great personalities when they are kept in a clean, warm environment. Two of the bettas I got from your store died within 1-3 weeks of when I bought them due to irreversible kidney damage that was a direct result from the horrible conditions they were kept in before they came home with me. It is for this reason that I have made a pledge to never again buy a betta from any of your stores. Not only are they kept in tiny cups where they can hardly turn around in, but they are also treated as decorations instead of living creatures. Although they can fit in tiny half-gallon bowls, they most certainly will be miserable in there. I am taking my business elsewhere until Petco decides to treat their fish like living creatures. Your poor example to your customers is inexcusable. Please give these fish the care they need and deserve. "

Here's my "sample letter" to Walmart

To the managers of [town]'s Walmart:
While visiting your store I noticed you carry "Spotted Puffers" in your aquatics department. I feel you, along with other Walmarts, have been wrongly informed about the care of these fish. "Spotted Puffers", better known as Green Spotted Puffers (Tetraodon nigroviridis) are a high-end brackish fish (meaning they need almost the same amount of marine salt as salt water fish- not "aquarium salt"). Without the brackish water this fish requires it's lifespan will be considerably shorter and the fish will be much more susceptible to diseases like ich and finrot. They are very aggressive dirty fish and to be properly housed they need 30gallons of space per fish (Two Green Spotted Puffers sharing a tank require a minimum tank size of 60gallons, and 3 would require 90gallons). All Green Spotted Puffers are wild caught, so there is a huge risk they are carrying parasites and harmful bacteria that could infect your other fish. Nearly all Green Spotted Puffers are carrying Internal Parasites and need to be treated immediately upon receiving them. I'd highly recommend telling your fish supplier you no longer wish to receive them.
I look forward to stopping by your store again. Thank you for reading my letter and addressing my concerns. For more information on Green Spotted Puffers please visit: greenspottedpuffer.net

-[your name]

Nick wrote:PETA is all OVER fish - they just use a different term for them:
http://www.peta.org/sea_kittens/

Elevator is insulted. He just asked why he could not be respected for the little puffer that he is? He had to be compared to some land walking animal.....

I am glad that you did that! I may do the same thing for my local walmart! I kills me to see the horrible conditions that the fish are put in!! I want to buy them all to save them!!! Are there regulations to the care of fish as there are to other animals? I am pretty sure that they dont but there needs to be more regulations on fish care at stores. It reminds me about puppies in a puppy mill!!

I've often thought about writing a letter to walmart. I think this post has inspired me just enough to actually do it this time.

When my bf and I go to walmart, we sneak in frozen (but thawed) shrimp and feed them when no one's looking. They're always so happy after that!

Haha, way to go!
You should definitely write.

pinkfloydpuffer wrote:Last I heard, PETA couldn't care less about fish...
But someone please correct me if I"m wrong.

PETA is actually just launching a new campaign for fish rights...they are calling them the fish of the sea...i saw it on yahoo.

You mean sea kittens? Nick posted a link on the first page of this thread.

I can't believe that website. SEA KITTENS? PETA is #$%^&#$% crazy!

I'm sorry but I like to eat fish and I wouldn't ask someone to stop fishing. That's like saying don't eat Beef, chicken, shrimp, crab, crayfish etc. the list goes on and on. Then what would we be left with? I'm not big on veggies, I like meat and I like fish. There I said it! I Eat Fish!.

Lol! I am a vegetarian, but my dad and sis looooooove eating fish. Kinda makes me sad, but it's ok, it's their choice. No one has to be veggie if they don't want to

I dnt really eat fish. I only eat Ahi tuna and some raw white fish here and there. Im getting to like grilled spicy shrimp and cocnut shrimp from the outback but thats all the sea food i'll eat oh yea plus fried calamari.

Fried calamari, properly prepared, is amazing. Overcooked, it's chewy rubber bits of doom. There's only two ways to cook squid to get it tender... REAL FAST, or FOREVER.