webster1234
Supporting Member
Ok, I'm gonna rant here for a sec. I went by Petco Pearland today to pick up some air stones and of course had to peek at their saltwater fish. The employee in charge of the fish just happened to be standing there when I walked up. I started looking at what they had and couldn't help but question her knowledge of saltwater fish. She said that the last person in charge of them had just quit and so the manager put her in charge of the fish section, something of which she had no idea about and received no training on. When she found out I was a hobbyist, she had a million questions for me. She said the last guy would always order "cool stuff" in to the store, none of which ever sold and would eventually perish.
I spent about an hour there with her answering questions and making suggestions on how to feed the livestock, what could be housed together, and what needed something other than the fluorescent single bulb light that was over each tank.
For instance, they had a 3-4" blue jaw trigger in a 5 gallon tank. This poor guy was banging into the sides every time he turned around. A couple of carpet anemone's and LTA's under a standard fluorescent light, and two really nice sea hares in a small tank with no algae or anything to eat. After schooling her on how to feed each, I was hoping that if someone was looking for a sea hare or two, these looked really healthy. I know if they stay there for very long, they will surely starve to death.
Oh, and while we were talking, she brought up the fact that she was excited about her new 3 gallon pico that she was going to put a mandarin in, which I hopefully talked her out of...I left there pissed off and depressed knowing that at least 50% of the livestock they had in there would surely perish due to their lack of knowledge and the company's lack of desire to train them or compensate qualified help. She said she makes $8/hr and her manager said that if she would learn more about fish, they would give her a .40 cent raise...woo hoo!
Anyway, if you are looking for a sea hare, these looked really nice. I didn't think to check the price but Petco is usually pretty reasonable on their livestock. Go by and rescue them please. God will smile on you if you do.
I spent about an hour there with her answering questions and making suggestions on how to feed the livestock, what could be housed together, and what needed something other than the fluorescent single bulb light that was over each tank.
For instance, they had a 3-4" blue jaw trigger in a 5 gallon tank. This poor guy was banging into the sides every time he turned around. A couple of carpet anemone's and LTA's under a standard fluorescent light, and two really nice sea hares in a small tank with no algae or anything to eat. After schooling her on how to feed each, I was hoping that if someone was looking for a sea hare or two, these looked really healthy. I know if they stay there for very long, they will surely starve to death.
Oh, and while we were talking, she brought up the fact that she was excited about her new 3 gallon pico that she was going to put a mandarin in, which I hopefully talked her out of...I left there pissed off and depressed knowing that at least 50% of the livestock they had in there would surely perish due to their lack of knowledge and the company's lack of desire to train them or compensate qualified help. She said she makes $8/hr and her manager said that if she would learn more about fish, they would give her a .40 cent raise...woo hoo!
Anyway, if you are looking for a sea hare, these looked really nice. I didn't think to check the price but Petco is usually pretty reasonable on their livestock. Go by and rescue them please. God will smile on you if you do.