- Joined
- Jun 29, 2014
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I work in the industry as well. Earlier in the thread, someone said that if a retailer gets unhealthy fish from a wholesaler they should change wholesalers. Well, this happens all the time. The problem is that ALL wholesalers have unhealthy fish. The idea that we can take fish from all over the world, combine them in one large system, and expect none of them to get sick, is just ridiculous. Humans can't even fly on airliners together without getting sick. As the hobby and industry behind it, grows, the problem becomes worse. There is no real fix for the problem. Everyone in the chain of possession of livestock tries to minimize loss. Simple economics dictates that they must. However, they can not spend $10 to quarantine and feed a $5 fish and expect to stay in business.
Someone else said something about gladly paying a little more for a better quality fish. Well, sadly, these people are in the minority. Most people can't even tell the difference between a healthy fish and a sickly fish. Even many "professionals" don't know the difference. Just look at the cover of Chris Brightwell's chemistry book, and you'll see what I'm talking about. Sadly, most hobbyists believe yellow tangs, and others, should be skinny. The vast majority of these fish in retail shops are under weight, so many hobbyists use this as their only form of reference, and form the opinion that healthy yellow tangs are simply skinny.
Here's the brutal truth. The consumer drives the market. As long as the hobbyists are uneducated, and continue to buy poor quality, inexpensive livestock, the market will continue to provide it. Only when the consumer demands better quality livestock, even when it comes at a higher price, will the market change.
Peace
EC
Someone else said something about gladly paying a little more for a better quality fish. Well, sadly, these people are in the minority. Most people can't even tell the difference between a healthy fish and a sickly fish. Even many "professionals" don't know the difference. Just look at the cover of Chris Brightwell's chemistry book, and you'll see what I'm talking about. Sadly, most hobbyists believe yellow tangs, and others, should be skinny. The vast majority of these fish in retail shops are under weight, so many hobbyists use this as their only form of reference, and form the opinion that healthy yellow tangs are simply skinny.
Here's the brutal truth. The consumer drives the market. As long as the hobbyists are uneducated, and continue to buy poor quality, inexpensive livestock, the market will continue to provide it. Only when the consumer demands better quality livestock, even when it comes at a higher price, will the market change.
Peace
EC