Re: [RML] Digest Number 162

Christophe Mailliet (christophe.mailliet at web.de)
Fri, 28 Oct 2005 12:10:51 +0200

"I have been in the pet shop business (and a rainbow hobbyist) for almost
20 years. We used to give coupons for a "free goldfish"to the local
fairs as prizes. When the winner would come in to claim their prize we
would do our best to sell them on a Betta. The benefit of the coupon,
though, is the same principal retailers use when they give a rebate.
Only a small percentage of the winners actually claim the fish. Out of
the 500 coupons that we would usually give out, maybe 50 would be
redeemed, and 10 or 20 of those could be talked into buying a Betta and
the necessary accessories. Often after the goldfish died, they would
return for something "longer-lived". This is a strategy that give a
local fish store the ability to make more money, so i don't understand
why most of them have not adopted a similar policy."

This "business strategy" shows a total lack of respect for living beings, that is a goldfish. Using goldfish as "live bait" to sell more other fish, knowing full well that these goldfish will not be treated appropriately in many cases, shows not just all what is wrong with (parts of) the aquarium hobby, but also a lot of what is wrong with (parts of) the aquarium trade. You should know that a goldfish, given appropriate care, can live 20 years and more. You buy a goldfish? Then care for it, if else, don't buy a goldfish and start collecting stamps. Period. And don't tell me they're "just fish", either. Rainbows and any other fancy expensive fish are also "just fish".

Last but least, that Bettas "thrive in a bowl" is elephant dung.

My opinion, and I stand by it 100%.

Christophe (slightly upset)

-- 
"You can fool some people sometimes, but you can't fool all the people all the time." Bob Marley, 1973.
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