[AmbiantNight]

So it all started with a dog food run. I got a ride and went up there with the intent of picking up some dog food and mystery snails (snails for the new 50 gal) While they were plucking the snails for me off the glass I glanced over at the Bettas. There in murky water was a poor vt with fin rot labeled at a ct. I asked him if they had a larger lidded bowl and some aquarium salt. He looked at me like I was speaking in tongues but got me the items. I grabbed a gallon of dechlorinated water and filled the container half way then plopped the poor guy into it. Put a pinch of salt and explained about the water condition and the stress from being in the tiny containers. Pointed out different things going on with different fish and how they could improve their condition so that they would sell better and also how to tell them all apart.

At this point he held up a finger and walked away after handing me my snails. I continued to change the water on all 15 Betta waiting for forever homes. He came back with the fish manager who looked well... stunned... at my changing water. I repeated everything I had told him. Pointed out that with areas this small the water should at the least be filled 3/4 and changed daily. Told them about the use of salt and that they should be fed an amount of pellets equal to the size of their eye daily if not twice a day. Showed him then how to arrange them by color and type so that if someone is looking for something specific they can find it quicker and help to boost sales as well as prevent loss from sick or dying fish.

That is when I looked to see if he was listening and almost had a heart attack. He was taking notes! He continued to pick my brain about how to better care for their stock and I told him about this site. By the end of it I got half off on my snails and took home a female that was a bit listless. Only an hour home and she is already active and happy. She loves the bamboo roots and will swim inside of them then out and flair at them before going over to check on the snail. So cute. I'm calling her Gi (justice in the Bushido code). Considering the number helped in the process of her coming home it just feels like the right name.

Photobucket is down for maintenance right now But I'll post pictures once it is up and running again.

 

[0ut0fsight4443]

Well that goes to show you that not everyone is just trying to collect a paycheck.

 

[Mercury]

Always nice to hear about people who work with animals willing to listen and lean how to care for them better. Good on you.

 

[AmbiantNight]

I'm so exceedingly proud of myself right now.

 

[AmbiantNight]

Rags to riches... here is the start of her new set up. Will have an air pump and more after I place the orders around the first. I have a nylon cover over it (not shown in the picture) so I can make sure she can't jump out.

Gi is all over her tank but loves to pick on the back of the snail. It wasn't to happy about it at first but has relaxed since.

She looks like a crown tail to me. Will have to get a better fin picture latter. Love her colors. Such a lovely little lady.

 

[JDragon]

What a beautiful experience. I can only applaud you for such an amazing job.

 

[AmbiantNight]

Thanks. I was actually expecting them to throw me out for messing with stuff and opening containers lol

 

[Bettaginer]

I'm so excited for the fish you helped by doing this!! That is really wonderful news!

 

[16kehresmann]

This story really made my day. You are quite the betta fish savior! Your new little girl is looking incredibly cute, and happy! Thank you for doing what you did...not allot of people would have guts like that...

 

[beautiful Betta]

I think this is a great story, and just goes to show that not all store people are bad, maybe just don't know how to look after them. Now that you have given them some advice it looks like the fish there will be much better of. The only thing I would question though would be the use of salt, in this case are they aware that they shouldn't be adding salt everyday forever, some fish may take longer to sell that 10 days, and if I am correct you shouldn't use salt for much longer than that.

 

[AmbiantNight]

I told them to use it just once if they see issues with fin rot. I also gave my number and a couple of others that would be willing to answer questions and help.

 

[beautiful Betta]

Ah that's ok then, just had images of them of using salt everyday even on healthy ones, lol.

 

[AmbiantNight]

lol no I had him there for some time listening to me. I'm just happy that they now have a chance at a little bit of a better life while in the store. Still not good being stuck in those tiny cups but better then before at least

 

[ZeesTyphoon]

Glad to hear you got them some help! I found that with walmart it's all about finding the right person to talk to. I talked to two different people about the same problem and one didn't seem to care at all and the other was more than willing to help.

 

[BlueLacee]

Wow, you are amazing. Way to be awsome and change their water

 

[AmbiantNight]

I'm just glad they didn't charge me for the bottles of water I used lol

 

[Taeanna]

I applaud your forwardness! I wish i was so bold but I tend to be a very timid person in person.

I bet that manager and his stock will both be a lot happier from now on

 

[AmbiantNight]

I'm shocked and in a good way! When I went to walmart to get some supplies the manager of the fish department was there. He took me aside and I figured he wanted to charge me for the waters I used during my employee education mode. But no he actually gave me a coupon for 50% off any tank of my choice! He said that so far their loss on the Bettas is already down 40% with returns down 60%! So he wanted to thank me and got the approval from corporate!

So as a birthday gift to myself I have a brand new 10gal aquarium. The angel I'm rescuing is using it for now. He was getting picked on by the bigger fish. I'm just so excited!

 

[Reagan]

That is amazing! Truly Amazing!! Good Work.

 

[beautiful Betta]

That is fantastic news and to hear all the fish are doing so much better, and that is really generous of them to actually give you a voucher for your efforts, I would say almost unheard of. You must have really made an impression, next they will be offering you a Job. lol