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  #26  
Old 10/19/2005, 12:24 PM
BrianPlankis BrianPlankis is offline
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Location: Houston, TX
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Quote:
Originally posted by Scuba Oz
They are bad here also, I always tell them how many dead fish I find when I go in there, the girl is just like "really, oh okay" then I watch her do nothing about it. Pretty sad. I dont shop there at all, they are next to where I get my hair cut so I always make a point to count dead fish everytime I get my haircut
Hey man,

You should email your counts to petco each time you do it. If everyone else would do this, maybe a difference could be made. We don't have any Petcos by our house, one Petsmart but they don't carry SW fish. Their FW fish are in pretty good shape actually.

Brian
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  #27  
Old 10/19/2005, 05:14 PM
MCary MCary is offline
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Thought I better sign the petition. PetCo here in Kalispell Montana is just as bad. They get fish in once a week and they're usually dead before the next batch comes in. A doctor friend bought a fish there that wiped out his entire tank. He has since learned the term "quarantine". What really surprises me is some of the fish they get in. These fish would have difficulty surviving in a experts aquarium, never mind their pisbowls. Achilles and powder blue tangs for instance.

Please do not confuse these jokers with PetSmart. Pet smart does not have SW fish and the fresh water fish they have are some of the best I've seen. Plus they cater to some of the serious hobbiest's by offering bigger tanks and better equipment.
  #28  
Old 10/20/2005, 01:43 PM
jbaker6953 jbaker6953 is offline
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I had the same experience with the Petco in Fort Collins, CO. Their fish were in terrible condition. One time, in the middle of winter when it was about 10 degrees below zero, I saw their supplier park the truck full of live fish out side, open the back door, and go inside. He left those fish sitting there for more than 20 minutes in -10 degree weather. Even their freshwater fish were always in attrocious shape. I do not shop at Petco. Petsmart always had had great fish.
  #29  
Old 10/31/2005, 04:45 PM
Ploppers Ploppers is offline
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I have also seen poor conditions at Petco.
I also have a friend who purchased 1 fish from them that wiped out his entire tank.
I remember them getting an achilles tang in that seemed to be doing pretty well the day they got it. It was dead by the end of the week.

On a lighter note, at the Petco near me both of the people who maintain the saltwater tanks seem pretty concerned about the fish they carry. They are by no means as knowledgeable as many of the people on these boards, but they don't seem to want to sell a Nemo to everyone who saw the movie.
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  #30  
Old 10/31/2005, 05:00 PM
worlds under worlds under is offline
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please support local HOBBIST stores. shure you may have to pay a little more, but you get what you pay for.
  #31  
Old 10/31/2005, 06:44 PM
doony doony is offline
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i was gonna by some blue damsels andclowns and the girl working had 2 big tanks she said never buy fish from us
  #32  
Old 10/31/2005, 08:11 PM
Ploppers Ploppers is offline
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Quote:
Originally posted by worlds under
please support local HOBBIST stores. shure you may have to pay a little more, but you get what you pay for.
As far as local stores goes. I was at a local store a few days ago. I actually pointed out a couple of their new fish had died and were stuck to power heads or being eaten by crabs. The girl promptly went and grabbed a net and pulled them out.
It kind of surprised me because everytime I've pointed out dead fish at "other" stores I've gotten the "oh, thanks, we'll get right on that" and never see the salesman again.
  #33  
Old 11/01/2005, 05:27 AM
Gawain1974 Gawain1974 is offline
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Fortunately, we don't have any PetCo's around here, but the descriptions you are giving sound similar to some of the LFS around here.
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  #34  
Old 11/09/2005, 03:51 PM
SeaSpza SeaSpza is offline
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Location: Southie MA
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The local Petco in Quincy MA is as bad as the ones you all are talking about.My brother in law got 2 clowns a couple weeks ago and they died within days.We also saw a weird looking clown that looked like a mix between a tomato and a ocellaris and when we asked the guy who worked there what it was, he said i dont know.Then he said that it looked like both of them combined.His next statement blew me away.He said maybe one of their clowns "hit" something it wasnt supposed to.I couldnt help laugh in the mans face.I never buy from chains myself and now I know why.
  #35  
Old 11/12/2005, 12:36 PM
LFSmarineguy LFSmarineguy is offline
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I get customers in my store all the time who shop at petco and will argue with me about what they were told about their fish at petco. I have been to several petcos and I have yet to meet an employee I would trust with a pet rock. Their info is either something they managed to pull out of their butt or something they were told by someone who has no idea what they are doing. The stores near me keep fish in tanks together that should never be kept together even if it's for a few days until they are sold. My store even hired a "marine expert" from a nearby petco who applied for a job when we were short... after his first 3 days I banned him from the marine tanks and now he no longer works with us. The volume of misinformation they give out is amazing. They let dead fish rot in the tanks. Forget the chemical ramifications of that, as a consumer I don't want to buy anything if I see a dead fish in the tank.
  #36  
Old 11/16/2005, 05:40 PM
SeaSpza SeaSpza is offline
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I went into a petco in Cambridge MA last night just to check on their fish and it was an ich farm.Add that one to the list of bad ones.
  #37  
Old 11/17/2005, 06:41 PM
Brian5280 Brian5280 is offline
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They are all bad. I have been in 3 petcos in Colorado and I don't think they had a single healthy fish.
  #38  
Old 11/19/2005, 01:51 AM
tdman3627 tdman3627 is offline
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Hey guys
its been a while since i have posted on here, but i frequent the website all the time. Anyways to the topic at hand. READ THE NEXT FEW WORDS SLOWLY, i am a petco employee lol. I just started two weeks ago. I live in gainesville, (i go to school here). I was brought on to be the aquatics specialist. I have a 55 gallon reef tank and a 12g nano cube. I know a lot of stuff about saltwater fish, treatments, the whole nine. The problem that petco faces is its coporate office, and their tank set up. First, the set up: Every two columns of tanks are connected to one main sump. They dont skim or use UV sterilizers. All of the tanks run through bio wheels before going back into the sump. I hate the set up, each tank has poor circulation. I can go on and on. Anyways about the coporate policy. When i first came i immediately asked about treating the tanks for ich. Side note, our saltwater fish are in very good health. SInce i have been there we have only lost 1 clarkii clown. The company only allows to treat ich with clout and salts. Its terrible, i want to use copper safe, but we cant get enough and its not approved. Ill keep you posted on our success at the petco in gainesville. Right now everyday i go in, i srub all algae in sw, and change as much water as i can throughout the freshwater tanks. Im slowly bringing everyone back to life. The previous people had no clue about fish at all. At least one petco is on the rise.
Ryan
  #39  
Old 11/19/2005, 03:04 PM
SeaSpza SeaSpza is offline
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Its good to hear someone is fighting for Petco's fish from the inside.However it seems the corprate handcuffs will in the end hold you and any other Petco employee from really saving those poor fish.What if we all get together and sneak in some meds for the Petco fish.All we need is one contact in each Petco to administer the med.LOL ok everyone go out and buy some Coppersafe and pick a Petco.
  #40  
Old 11/20/2005, 06:58 PM
Ploppers Ploppers is offline
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Today I went to Petco and purchased a Foxface. Yes I'm quarantining it. The only reason I got it is because it seems to be extremely hardy. It had been there for a couple of months now and always seemed to be in good health. I got it home just a little bit ago. I'm drip acclimating it as I type. Just to check how far off their SG was I tested it with my refractometer. SG was at 1.019. I didn't test anything else because I figured the fish being stressed out would have thrown them way off anyway.
  #41  
Old 11/22/2005, 10:25 AM
jpslickorocks jpslickorocks is offline
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Join Date: May 2005
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I have a friend who works at petco here in Az and when I first got into the hobby he would not let me buy fish from them. (thanks buddy) and he has said on a few occaisions a lot of the same stuff you all have said. They have "corporate handcuffs" and there is nothing they can do about it. I wont even buy dog food there anymore, and I get the employee discount through my friend, because of the animal husbandry. So my thought is... We all need to write our concerns to them as specified in this thread, but also don't be afraid to say something at the store. Just be polite and no matter how bad thier reaction may be don't lose your head. (catch more bees with honey you know) also include a link to threads like this one so they can see our concerns. I don't know... Just a few ideas from a guy in marketing and advertising. Good luck all I am proud to join you all in the battle to save one fish at a time.
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  #42  
Old 11/22/2005, 12:05 PM
Ploppers Ploppers is offline
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Funny thing. They had a sign on one of the tanks that said something like "At Petco animals come first, questions or comments call 1-888...." I should have written the number down.

Oh by the way the Foxface I purchased is doing great. Eating just fine and being quite active in his QT tank.
  #43  
Old 11/29/2005, 07:02 PM
sophia101 sophia101 is offline
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I live in Upstate NY but occasionally i visit NYC and when i was down there i visited the petco that was there...i just wanted to take a look at them just to see what diferent species they carried. As i was looking in the different tanks there were at least 5-10 dead fish altogether throughout the different tanks, ug! I would never buy any livestock from petco! They dont treat their pets very nicely especially the marine fish, they should definetly not keep marine fish...i think they should just sell dry goods!

-Sophia
  #44  
Old 11/30/2005, 03:19 AM
meister_ben meister_ben is offline
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I work at a Petco here in Green Bay. I have seen lots of other Petcos just around my area with tons of problems with their marine life. I'm amazed and, quite frankly, humiliated to be associated with these fresh-out-of-high-school employees. Everything said here hold true for me as well.
I have kept aquaria since I was old enough to work, and since then have only added to my obsession. I work with 3 other guys who all have their own CO2 planted tanks, SPS tanks, clam tanks, and FOWLR tanks. The fish we receive every week are occasionally emaciated, diseased, or very stressed. We all do our very best to keep our Petco from turning into all the others. It's a losing battle. Every week damn near, our corporate office tells us that we aren't going to be using certain medications. First it was Rid Ich (sucks anyway, but works for livebearers.) Next it was Coppersafe from our SW system. Honestly, the only medication at our disposal is "Clout" anti-parasitic medication, which does nothing for SW or FW.
Myself and my friends are forced to make a decision, buy meds from a store that actually carries what we need, or watch as our marine life withers and our customers shun us. Needless to say it got quite expensive. We have done everything in our power to keep every fish alive and thriving, but Petco just doesn't care! When I asked our District Manager why we aren't able to use Rid Ich or Coppersafe, she replied "It masks the symptoms. Then when someone brings it home in a non-medicated environment, the symptoms return." Here's what I heard: "Petco doesn't make money that way!" I've thought about quitting several times. But if I quit, who will step in to take my place? another prepubescent juvenile who'll assume I know nothing?
What I'm trying to say is that while most Petcos are all the same, there are a few that do try to make a difference. I completely agree that Petco should not sell live animals or fish. Of all the Petco managers and associates I know (about 20), there are only 4 that know anything about aquatic life, myself and my 3 friends. Other Petco stores call us when they have a hard time treating their tanks, or ask to send us their dying corals or fish. Can you believe the corporate office actually makes us sell anemones? I doubt there is a Petco in the country that can keep them alive. Do you think they will buy us more intense lighting? HA!
Every year, the general manager from each Petco store around the country meets for their annual "Trade Show." Each year, they discuss what each one of you are saying, and, instead of coming up with solutions, they decide which species of marine fish they want to send each Petco store with little concern with it's survivability. It's appalling.
  #45  
Old 11/30/2005, 11:14 AM
Jasonanatal Jasonanatal is offline
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I also have 2 Petco's within my area that are completely infested with Marine Ich yet they still attempt to sell these fish to customers that have no clue that they are sick. I spoke with a general manager as to why they are allowing sick fish to be sold. The answer I was given was that they are being treated every night. Talk about straying far away from the company vision of putting pets first and not your wallets.
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  #46  
Old 11/30/2005, 11:21 AM
Jasonanatal Jasonanatal is offline
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You can call and make a complaint about a Petco store at
PETCO Animal Supplies, Inc.
Customer Relations Team
9125 Rehco Road
San Diego, CA 92121
Phone: 1-888-824-PALS(7257) (7 days a week)
Fax: 1-858-784-3489
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My marriage is perfect! My job is great! But why are my tank parameters all out of whack???
  #47  
Old 12/01/2005, 05:02 PM
Rhas Rhas is offline
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I guess I'm lucky. The local Petco here has two really good employees in the fish section. Matt and Tony.. They treat any fish that is sick and even have a qt tank of there own set up out back. I have nothing but praise for these two guys. There tanks are spotless and there are no floaters. I know it isnt the norm butit could be. Rob
  #48  
Old 12/02/2005, 01:25 AM
DoctorDuke DoctorDuke is offline
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My wife is a manager at Petco, working in many of their stores over the past 6 years or so. We have more exsperiance with the company than I personally want.

Considering their polices and having visted many many stores the majority are doing a good job. However the ones that are not really put a black eye on the company. Basically it comes down to if the aquatic specialist is good or not. Some are bad, some are learning, and some are amazing.

I have seen managers fired on the spot for a dead feeder mouse in the display. I have picked up many small animals that cost less than $20 from the vet with bills in thousands. They have a health garentee and animals returned will be taken to the vet, it happens everyday.
My wife was almost terminated, when she was first promoted to asociate, because she went along with the vets recomendation not to preform some $3000 high risk surgery on a feeder mouse. They really do not play around.
Just this week she has personally raised over a thousand dollars in donations for a local shelter. This one store probably donates/raised 20-40k a year for local shelters.
The store she is at now does not have marine tanks, but the freshwater was horrible all quarenteened and nasty. It is much better now, people where just in over their heads and undertrained.
I will have to look into some of the the things I have read here, exspecially meister_ben. We have good freinds and aquatences in corporate and around the country. Pre-pubecents are not allowed to work at petco, you have to be 18 as of a few years ago. The best LFS here was opened by a kid straight out highschool as if that mattered anyway.
They also get their fish from the same distrubutors as everyone else, and are subject to same problems.
  #49  
Old 12/02/2005, 10:07 AM
Jasonanatal Jasonanatal is offline
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Well I just went to the Petco in Poughkeepsie, New York and devided to take a chance and I purchased a small peppermint shrimp for my Mini-Reef Tank. The shrimp died within 2 hours of leaving the store. All my water parameters are correct and yet nothing I purchase from Petco ever survives. I find it difficult to believe that many Local Fish Stores have near to no problems with their livestock yet Petco has an a serious issue with keeping healthy fish.
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My marriage is perfect! My job is great! But why are my tank parameters all out of whack???
  #50  
Old 12/03/2005, 07:42 AM
glyle41 glyle41 is offline
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I like to go to the nearest one to me just to look around would never buy anything from them was in there a couple of weeks ago and they had like 50 small false percs in 15 gal tank they had so much ICH on them you could hardly tell what kind of fish they are its so sad to see but I am lucky I have a whole bunch of top notch LFSs near me
 

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