What do I do?

Persistency

Persistency

Large Fish
#1
Dec 14, 2011
229
0
0
WI
#1
I posted in a previous thread about how my friend's roommate has a fish tank she no longer takes care of. The water level is fairly low, the water color itself is green, and there are mounds of poo on the gravel. Well, we just had a frost here in Wisconsin, and the heater in there must not work, because the water is 66 degrees. The roommate was originally going to give the fish to me (an Angel, a tetra, and a pleco) but she decided that she wants to sell the whole thing as a set. The tank is disgusting and horribly overpriced, so I don't see that happening any time soon. It's getting increasingly hard to leave my friend's house without just taking them with me and threat ening to call fish abuse or something if she says anything (she doesn't even live in the house.)

My question is.. Should I do it? Those poor fish have to be absolutely miserable in there.
IMAG0654.jpg
 

KcMopar

KcMopar

Superstar Fish
#2
May 11, 2011
1,854
1
0
Louisiana
www.americanhotrodsolutions.com
#2
Convince her that no one usually wants the fish that come with the tank because they want to get their own picks of fish, even if they take the fish they would most likely not keep them. Then who knows what they would do with them. Her fish are only worth about a sum of about 5-ish dollars at best if she was to resell them to a pet store. Tell her the tank would sell much faster if it was empty, cleaned, and ready to go!!! In all my decades of having fish I have only purchased one tank like the one in the pic and that was only because it was a SUPER good deal. Usually I only take these types of rescues if the people give them to me because there is no guarantee the fish will make it or worse they might have diseases and the tank could have bad critters in it. If you want the fish I would just suggest she would have a quicker sale of a cleaned, presentable, and ready to take tank. Also she might get more for it if its in the before mentioned state.
 

Persistency

Persistency

Large Fish
#3
Dec 14, 2011
229
0
0
WI
#3
Thank you. I will try to get that message across, but I don't know the girl personally and I've been communicating to her through my friend, who tells her other roommate what to say. It's quite horrible and annoying actually.
 

T

Thyra

Superstar Fish
#4
Jun 2, 2010
1,891
0
0
Yelm, WA
#4
I agree with Kerry, If she gave you the fish that would be one thing, but to buy fish like that is chancy and asking for trouble. Take your time and pick your own fish. Also, I know people talk about trading and selling fish to their LFS, but many won't take other fish. I can't say whether it is company policy or manager policy, but I know my closest Petsmart will not.
 

djm761

djm761

Large Fish
#6
Mar 21, 2011
190
0
0
#6
I see a hood and light, cant tell if it has a filter or even an air bar, what size tank is it how old is it and does it come with a good stand, I would make an offer just to save the fish, but it would be a conservative one. our LFS pays 12% of new and resells for 25% of new as is.
 

Persistency

Persistency

Large Fish
#7
Dec 14, 2011
229
0
0
WI
#7
I think it's a 29. It's got lime stains all over it, the heater is broken,the decor is ugly, and the filtration is under gravel. She's asking $100, but brand new 29 gal kits go for that at Walmart.
 

djm761

djm761

Large Fish
#8
Mar 21, 2011
190
0
0
#8
yes the price on the smaller tanks has come down petco runs their dollar a gallon sale every few weeks, and there are some great deals on starter kits, but does her tank come with a good stand, a natural wood or steel (no press board), if the stand is good i'd offer her 20.00 bucks and tell her you would do all the work. her other option is to tear it down clean every thing (the fish probably wont survive that) then pay to advertise it, and be available to show it.
 

Persistency

Persistency

Large Fish
#9
Dec 14, 2011
229
0
0
WI
#9
It's not a very good stand. She honestly believes that she can get $100 for everything, which is probably never going to happen. That's why I wanted to just take the fish, because it's going to take too long to for her to realize her mistake. But you're saying to offer $20 for everything?
 

djm761

djm761

Large Fish
#10
Mar 21, 2011
190
0
0
#10
Yes 20.00 for every thing, and you will do all the work, looking at the tank I dont think she wants any thing to do with it, she's done with fish.

PS: I understand wanting to take the fish, do you think you could get away with it, you know her I dont.
 

Last edited:
skjl47

skjl47

Large Fish
#12
Nov 13, 2010
712
0
0
Northeastern Tennessee.
#12
Hello; As upsetting as the condition of the fish may be, it is her stuff and her call. I would strongly advise against taking the fish without her consent. I have seen this sort of thing happen several times over the years. People stop taking care of their tanks and the fish eventually die. $20 sounds like top dollar for what you have described with the fish thrown in for free. The tank may be scratched and the equipment may be damaged. Offer the $20 and if she does not take it, walk away.
I have learned to bite my tongue and understand that there are often situations I can do nothing about.
 

Persistency

Persistency

Large Fish
#13
Dec 14, 2011
229
0
0
WI
#13
I disagree with that completely. Animals are animals are animals and fish are no exception. It's everyone's business to do something about an animal in need, regardless of who it belongs to. If someone can't take care of their pet correctly, then they have no right to own it, and I don't feel bad at all if it's removed from their care, whether they consent to it or not.
 

skjl47

skjl47

Large Fish
#14
Nov 13, 2010
712
0
0
Northeastern Tennessee.
#14
Persistency said:
I disagree with that completely. Animals are animals are animals and fish are no exception. It's everyone's business to do something about an animal in need, regardless of who it belongs to. If someone can't take care of their pet correctly, then they have no right to own it, and I don't feel bad at all if it's removed from their care, whether they consent to it or not.
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Hello; It is not a question of how you feel, is is a question of legal consquence. If you take someones property you become a thief. If there is an animal control agency you can report this to, then call them and allow them to step in. Around my community several horse and dog owners have been arrested for animal abuse when reported. If the local authorities decline to act you do not have the right to enter someones property and take their stuff.
The fact that you feel bad for the fish is understood, but you are considering an action which crosses a legal line. If you are willing to accept the consquence of the action, then go for it.
 

skjl47

skjl47

Large Fish
#16
Nov 13, 2010
712
0
0
Northeastern Tennessee.
#16
Hello; You have been offered the tank and fish for $100 and feel this is too much money (or perhaps do not have the money.) I agree that is too much, but it appears to be the price set by the owner. It is understood that you do not care what the other person thinks, but around my area I cannot take matters about the property of others in my own hands without legal problems.
If you are not willing or able to pay the asking price, the option left seems to be to call the authorities and see if they will step in.
The suggestions made by others to reason with the owner can be attempted. As I have seen this type of situation before, it may not work.
I still suggest that you do not take action on your own with out the persons consent.
 

T

Thyra

Superstar Fish
#17
Jun 2, 2010
1,891
0
0
Yelm, WA
#17
The girl will think you just stole $100 from her. You could offer to help her clean up the tank to get it ready to sell. Possibly develop some relationship and when it doesn't sell, maybe you will get a good deal or at least the fish.
 

O

OrangeCones

Elite Fish
#18
Feb 27, 2009
4,395
0
36
#18
skjl47 said:
the option left seems to be to call the authorities and see if they will step in.
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Sadly, you will find, fish have no protection in animal welfare laws. When I saw a pet store take a 'return' of a fish that had outgrown its owner's tank (an easily 2ft long clown knife fish), and the owner of the shop just put it in the bottom of an empty bucket, I asked him directly why. He said no one would buy it, he had several that size already that had been in his shop for years, so this newest one would have to 'go.' I asked why not euthanize it more humanely, and was bluntly told 'its just a fish, it will be dead in a few minutes, fish have no rights, go look up the laws yourself.' He was right :(
 

skjl47

skjl47

Large Fish
#19
Nov 13, 2010
712
0
0
Northeastern Tennessee.
#19
OrangeCones said:
Sadly, you will find, fish have no protection in animal welfare laws. When I saw a pet store take a 'return' of a fish that had outgrown its owner's tank (an easily 2ft long clown knife fish), and the owner of the shop just put it in the bottom of an empty bucket, I asked him directly why. He said no one would buy it, he had several that size already that had been in his shop for years, so this newest one would have to 'go.' I asked why not euthanize it more humanely, and was bluntly told 'its just a fish, it will be dead in a few minutes, fish have no rights, go look up the laws yourself.' He was right :(
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Hello; While I suspected this to be the case, I was not sure. I have walked away from a few bad situations like this myself. Over the years people I know have jumped into the hobby only to lose interest after a while.
 

djm761

djm761

Large Fish
#20
Mar 21, 2011
190
0
0
#20
Thyra said:
The girl will think you just stole $100 from her. You could offer to help her clean up the tank to get it ready to sell. Possibly develop some relationship and when it doesn't sell, maybe you will get a good deal or at least the fish.
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I think this is a good idea, she may even give you the fish if you clean every thing and get it ready to sell.
 

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