The Puffer Forum

Walked in to a Petsmart for the first time this afternoon, never been in one before, now I understand why people don't really care for them all that much. I was looking for a Christmas present for the neighbor boy and decided to give their fish selection a quick glance. Tiny tanks. I came across one tank that had 4 Dragon Gobies in it and it was a 5 gallon tank at max, freshwater, and no hiding places at all. I was so taken aback that I bought all 4 on the spot and educated the young lady working in their fish area. I didn't get a good look at them until she was bagging them. One was about 8" long, his lower lip is torn, and his chin is really abraded. The other three are about 4 inches long and very skinny but with a little TLC should do fine. I've got them in a freshwater quarantine tank right now and plan on slowly bring the SG up over the next few weeks and then get them in to my big brackish tank.

Four hour drive to visit relatives, see a Petsmart and stop in on a whim, end up driving back with four beautiful but mistreated fish.....Who'd a thunk it?

One good thing and I don't know if this is all Petsmarts, but they didn't sell Marine fish. I asked the sales person about it and she said that all the fish people banded together and refused to sell hem due to the conditions they are required to keep them in. Anyone else hear of this happening elsewhere?

I'll get some pictures up as soon as I know they are doing OK.

no, petsmart doesn't sell marine. i wish they would do that at petco.

can't wait to hear how they do

Well, we lost the biggest one last night. I kind of thought we would as he was pretty battered, he made it through a long drip acclimation but when he got in to the hospital tank he died. Kind of froze right up with his mouth wide open, body went rigid, and he went belly up (checked water parameters before I put the others in, and they were great). I spent 2 hours with him trying to move water through his gills to no avail . The other three are doing fine, already found hiding spots and happily building homes.

This reminds me of Walmart. I saw GSPs suffering, like 20-30 in a 10 fresh-water gal tank. I tried to educate the worker and I received rudeness. I emailed corporate to educate them and got nothing more than an automated response.
I swear, the frozen fish and the grocery store get treated better!