I just wanted to add a comment.
We have been returning fish alot lately. The molly because he needed a larger tank and we didn't have the room in the 29
gal for him (where he was SUPPOSED to go). He was originally purchased because I was under the impression of the 1 inch per
gal rule. (This was before AA). So I assumed that since he wouldn't get longer than 5 inches, he was fine for a 5
gal tank. Uh oh. Then along came the betta which knocked the molly out into the 10
gal tank. Better, but not what he should actually be in (29
gal). The African had fry and we needed to setup a grow out tank. We really don't have the funds to just go out and buy tanks when fish give birth. And I couldn't bare to let the other Africans eat the fry. So of course out went the Parrots and African Butterfly fish from the 29
gal tank. I feel bad for letting them go but it was what was best for them. We had intended for them to end up in the 150
gal tank but the Africans are growing so fast that we realized there was no way that they would ever be large enough to go in that tank. The Parrots in the 150 were being harrassed because the Africans are hitting their sexual maturity. I'd rather return them to the
lfs where they can be properly cared for than have them harrassed in my care. I picked a
lfs 3 hours away because I know that they take VERY good care of their fish. There are not Oscars in 10
gal tanks. They are all housed in very long tanks (I'd say at least 200
gal long). So I drove out of my way just to give them a great home. I don't think thats irresponsible or un-ethical. When we purchased them I was under the impression that the parrots would grow at the same rate as the Africans (listened to
lfs employees). After realizing that they wouldn't, I didn't want them to be tortured by other fish.
There are some people that I think intentionally over stock their tanks to the point where it is bursting at the seams or do not pick tank mates wisely. When I mean wisely, buying a small tank and stuffing it with livebearers is not wise unless you are able to keep buying tanks for the fry or you just let them get eaten.
My nephew goes to a day care and they have a 29
gal tank with 8 fancy goldfish in it. I cringe everytime I see it. The water is about 4 inches from the top of the tank. The kids love it because the fish are big and they can see them. But the fish do not look happy. They are bumping into each other and not looking too healthy. I want to say something to them about it, but I don't want to sound mean. The woman that runs the day care said that they like having many fish in it because then the fish can have friends. I suggested tetras or something small and put them in schools but she laughed at me and said, the kids can't see those tiny fish. Then she told me about how she saw African Cichlids that she thought would be perfect. I grabbed Hunter and bolted from the place. Ugh.