Disappointment at Saltwaterfish.com

[Fluff]

I was browsing Saltwaterfish.com in preparation of an order and came across some very disturbing photos of what appears to be dyed specimens that they are now offering. I did a quick search of thier forums and found thier members complaining as well. This is pretty disheartening as I've always liked doing business with them in the past but, now I'm not so sure I want to continue.

Here are a few examples of leathers and anemones they have listed. And other than the last leather, they don't even mention anything about them being colored that I seen.

Leathers

http://www.saltwaterfish.com/site_11_03/product_info.php?products_id=1349&parent_category= 4&category_search=62&root_parent_id=4

http://www.saltwaterfish.com/site_11_03/product_info.php?products_id=2973&parent_category= 4&category_search=62&root_parent_id=4

http://www.saltwaterfish.com/site_11_03/product_info.php?products_id=2929&parent_category= 4&category_search=62&root_parent_id=4

anemones

http://www.saltwaterfish.com/site_11_03/product_info.php?products_id=3133&parent_category= 4&category_search=63&root_parent_id=4

http://www.saltwaterfish.com/site_11_03/product_info.php?products_id=3134&parent_category= 4&category_search=63&root_parent_id=4

http://www.saltwaterfish.com/site_11_03/product_info.php?products_id=3135&parent_category= 4&category_search=63&root_parent_id=4

[Fluff]

Just wanted to add that I sent them a message about this. Not sure how much good it will do but did it just the same. I hope to hear back from them.

_____________

I just recieved thier response. I've removed the CS name for privacy reasons but here is what I got...

Hello,

I am sympathetic to your thought processes. Unfortunately there is a market demand for brightly colored items for reef tanks. There are many aquaculture facilities that use dye to enhance certain corals and anemones. We only order them in for the customers who want them.
Thanks for your e-mail,

**** @ Customer Support

[roka64]

Nice! At least you did your best!

[fijiwigi]

Everybody is out to make a buck Saltwaterfish.com is a monster money making machine If there is someone willing to pay for it than there will be a market There are tailoring to the consumer. Just like how Fast food chains are going to TransFat free frying Oil and offering healthier options like apples and 1%milk All because overwieght people are starting lawsuits against Fast Food Chains for making them overwieght Which started a chain reaction That Fast food chains are listening to. Sounds silly that A Fast food chain would even listen to the nonsense but they are changing their ways to satisy the consumer. The same as Saltwaterfish.com selling dyed corals to satisfy the consumer that is after the Wow Factor of an extremely colorfull aquarium.

[Kurt_Nelson]

But the food places are changing their ways for the better, as opposed to this vendor.

Consumer demand is a motivator, but I just don't understand it with corals. I'd have to assume that it's mostly folks that aren't aware of the practice that buy these things, which assumes they're probably just starting out in the hobby. So they get this beautiful coral that most likely dies on them. If I was selling corals, I sure wouldn't want to sell a coral that has a low chance of surviving because if it dies, the consumer will assume I'm selling unhealthy corals. I mean... look at fish - if you buy a fish from a LFS and it dies shortly after you get it, or ends up with ich, do you go back to that same LFS and buy another one? I sure don't.

Thanks for the heads up fluff.

[melosu58]

Thanks Cindy for the heads up.

[ccCapt]

That is sad. The pic of the sebae made me sick. That is so unnatural........

[Ziggy953]

Good job Cindy!!!!

[fijiwigi]

It is Sad. I have always thought of ordering from Saltwaterfish.com but now I am sure I will not for this very reason. Which will cost them my sale $$$$$ Terry Seigel - Editorial

[cmor1701d]

Thanks for posting that Cindy. Perhaps if enough of us wrote to complain they would stop carrying them. They really do look awfull. If someone want's those colors in their tank they should get the fakes and paint them.

[roka64]

I had always heard good things about them and would have ordered from them until now. Definitely thanks for the info!

[JoshsReef]

I dont really understand the frustration. Personally Its not something that I would want in my tank, I dont like hot pink for one, and two I am trying to recreate as natural a setting as possible. Maybe Im crazy, but if it doesnt hurt the animal, is it really a big deal ? I see no evidence to suggest that it is harmful in anyway to the corals. If it was I would understand the frustration however I have found nothing to say that it really makes a difference other than apperance. And as far as blaming saltwaterfish.com, they are not doing anything wrong, they are simply just selling what people want. If the people demand it large numbers they have no choice, If they dont satisfy there customers they will never stay sucessful !

[Innovator]

The health inhibitions of dye within the coral tissue is not clearly understood and depending on the chemical used to create the dye may or may not be extremely toxic, yet would still elicit a stress response and inability to adjust to aquarium and even natural environments. The dye is a foreign contaminant that a coral must expend energy in order to be rid of, thus increasing mucus secretions and tissue recession while compromising polyp expansion and feeding responses. There are some corals that may tolerate specific dyes better than others, but unfortunately it is difficult to grasp the latest concoctions being used to further investigate and whether or not a death is a direct result from the dye or a secondary cause. Either way, the majority of dyed corals do not seem to fare well throughout the industry and should be pointed out to all those who continue to sell them, whether the retailer is aware of the circumstances or not. Please take into consideration that the dye not only affects the life of a coral, but also the surrounding environment it comes into contact with. Although businesses are there to make money, there is an act of legitimacy to not deceive customers into thinking they are purchasing a healthy "rare" item and those that do sell such items should be held responsible since it is at their discretion that it is sold from within their business. There are other ways to making money and satisfying customers without the means of deception.

[Kurt_Nelson]

Originally Posted by JoshsReef

... I see no evidence to suggest that it is harmful in anyway to the corals. If it was I would understand the frustration however I have found nothing to say that it really makes a difference other than apperance.

Read this, and I think you'll change your mind.

DyedCorals

If the people demand it large numbers they have no choice, If they dont satisfy there customers they will never stay sucessful !

Yes... they do have a choice. They can educate their customers and let them know why it's not in their best interest to have a dyed coral. Well run businesses are not at the total whim of the customer.

[Fluff]

I really don't feel there is much left to be said about the issue of dying corals and the sad practice. Thank you James and Kurt.

My issue is deception on the retailers part. If you look at the links I posted, nowhere does it suggest that these animals are dyed. It only boasts about the intense colors. "Brightly colored in"... to me doesn't really suggest dyed. Yes, it is totally up to the aquarist to make themselves informed of such practices, that's not always what happens unfortunately. And anyone who doesn't have an eye for such things will see a "brightly colored coral in pink" listed as easy to keep and eagerly buy only to later be disappointed (if it survives). I think it is the responsibility of the retailer to at least say that the animals are not a natural color but temporary. Problem is, they would no doubt sell less of them. Boy, that would be a shame.
I've always been a supporter of SWF.com, they've always been a great company to do business with. They still are in general. I just feel a bit let down I guess that they would sell such specimens, let alone selling them without what I feel would be a proper description. There are other great online retailers that I will be using instead from here on out. So, to each thier own. Everyone will make up thier own minds. I just felt folks should know and being disappointed, I needed to vent a little. That's what this forum is for after all. Good or bad.