Question about Mixed Fruit Tetra

IDunnoWhy

IDunnoWhy

Superstar Fish
#1
Nov 16, 2006
1,058
2
38
52
Deerfield, WI
#1
Hi all, I was at my LFS yesterday looking around, I came across what was called a "Mixed Fruit Tetra" They appear to be white/pearl, but when they turn, they have a light green hue, and several had a light pink/peach hue. Very cool looking fish, however the guy there had no idea about them (Typical) anyway, do any of you have experience with these? What temp water do they need? How big will they get? Do you buy 1 or 2 or 6? are they nippy or calm community fish? Any help would be awesome.

Note: I checked the profiles page and found nothing about these guys
 

IDunnoWhy

IDunnoWhy

Superstar Fish
#3
Nov 16, 2006
1,058
2
38
52
Deerfield, WI
#3
Actually no...It was more tall, not quite as long, almost like a tiger barb without the stripes...It really was like no other fish I've seen...You couldn't even see the color, until the fish turns slightly to you.
 

zoo minsi

zoo minsi

Large Fish
#7
Jan 8, 2005
365
0
0
50
michigan
Visit site
#7
yup cruel also ive been told that the color isnt permenant so over time they will fade back to there original white.

Awhile back a store by me had dyed white mollies, they seriously looked like a 3 year old had drawn on them with a marker, so sad.
 

IDunnoWhy

IDunnoWhy

Superstar Fish
#9
Nov 16, 2006
1,058
2
38
52
Deerfield, WI
#9
Ya know it's wierd, If you were to shave a dog, and chemically dye it's skin to make it more appealing, people would be "up in arms" and certainly pita would throw a fit, Yet what someone did to these fish is basically the same, yet nothing really ever gets done about it....Makes me ill to think I nearly bought them, it's not the fishes fault, but I would have been supporting this type of behavior by purchasing them, thanks for the info people!! I will make it a point to avoid this LFS
 

TheFighterFish

TheFighterFish

Large Fish
#10
Feb 10, 2006
854
2
0
Bay Area, CA
#10
I've often felt that way about dyed fish as well. But I've come to realize that even the best LFSs might still sell dyed fish. There is a LFS a couple minutes away from my house and it has sold dyed fish on a few occasions. If I decided to boycott this LFS, I would have to drive much further to a petsmart that might not always have the best selections.

My point is, if you're going to boycott, then boycott. But be sure to have a backup LFS that will suit your needs.
 

IDunnoWhy

IDunnoWhy

Superstar Fish
#11
Nov 16, 2006
1,058
2
38
52
Deerfield, WI
#11
Yea, I know what your saying, The store in question isn't the only one in Madison fortunately. We have a Petsmart, Pet Warehouse, and 3 boutique mom-n-pop speciality shops, The little shops charge a little more, but I feel they care for there fish better, and I don't mind paying more for quality stock. One of the little shops is almost entirely SW, wow talk about some rare and exotic fishes. :eek: Way out of my current price range, but still fun to go window shopping :D
 

Big Vine

Big Vine

Elite Fish
#12
Feb 7, 2006
3,895
9
0
47
Florida
#12
The LFS...really an LPS, I suppose...that sells the best quality fish, by far, in my area also happens to sell dyed fish on occasion. It disgusts me every time I see them there, but the staff seems quite knowledgeable and takes very good care of their fish tanks.

It's tough to support them, but at the same time, I realize they run a business where the bottom-line is ultimately what counts most. By the same token, you'd think this so-called 'bottom-line' could be achieved without the few dyed fish that they do keep. :confused:


I've developed a decent rapport with a number of the fish section staff and the owner as well, so I will voice my concerns the next time I'm in there and it isn't too crazy busy.

Maybe they'll rethink things, but at the same time, I'd be shocked if I were the first person to bring up this issue with them. :eek:

I'll let you know how it goes.
Big Vine
 

jessey

jessey

Large Fish
#16
Dec 25, 2006
548
0
0
37
Tampa, FL
#16
Big Vine said:
Maybe they'll rethink things, but at the same time, I'd be shocked if I were the first person to bring up this issue with them. :eek:
Click to expand...
Actually.. I bet there's a good chance you will be the first. Think about most of the people that are in a LFS/LPS shopping for fish... they see neon-colored fish and they think "OOH, pretty!" - kind of like IDunnoWhy, difference being - IDunnoWhy bothered to ask before going and buying them.

I know up until a few weeks ago, if I'd gone to the store and saw pretty colored fish, I wouldn't have thought twice about buying them.
 

IDunnoWhy

IDunnoWhy

Superstar Fish
#17
Nov 16, 2006
1,058
2
38
52
Deerfield, WI
#17
I do intend to call this store tomorrow (when they re-open) and speak with the manager, I don't expect much will be done, but I have to say something, who knows, maybe they honestly didn't know the fish were harmed, either way they will know now :confused:

This is more of a LPS than a LFS, actually they deal more in Cats/Dogs/Furry Creatures than anything else.
 

MissFishy

MissFishy

Superstar Fish
#18
Aug 10, 2006
2,237
5
0
Michigan
#18
A lot of the larger chain stores don't even get a choice with what stock they are shipped to sell. Walmart seems to always have some "mixed fruit tetras" on hand. They never look very healthy. The best way to stop this cruel practice is to spread the word and NOT to buy the fish. As was stated above, many people don't even realize that these fish are dyed. I know when I was younger, I always stopped to look at the so called "disco fish" (injected glassfish). This is a good site to visit: Death by Dyeing.org - Shades of death

Let your local fish store owners know that you don't appreciate the fact that they carry dyed fish, never buy them, and spread the word to other unsuspecting customers.
 

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