Page 14 - TBAS-Aug-2020

-14- TBAS August 2020 ....................
show up. The questions are endless . . . what is right is not clear unless we all respect
each other’s work. If I buy some of Louie’s PLFs I can’t in all good faith sell them
as “Louie’s PLFs” . . . I don’t think I could sell them unless I can guarantee the
quality and that means PLFs X PLFs gives PLFs . . . and even then I might need
permission from Louie . . . otherwise they are just Flyeaters . . . ! Think about it
from Louie’s view . . . wow!!!
I have experienced something in Florida that I didn’t experience in the
“northland.” Fish shops tend NOT to buy fish from the local fish hobbyist/breeders.
I know that there is always the chance of some disease, but in all honesty, I have
gotten quite a few more diseases from dealers than from fellow breeders (I mean
no ill will here), but if you think about it, the local breeder is more likely to not
have diseases in his tank. He is most likely to be the one person’s whose tanks
will be spotless. Think about it pet shop owners . . . encourage your customers to
breed fish:
1) Breeders are more loyal to the shops they sell to.
2) Your shop might be able to get some fish cheaper than normal.
3) Your customers will look to buy your fish because they are locally grown.
4) You will probably have cleaner fish than normal.
5) You will really be encouraging the growth of the hobby.
On the other hand . . . you breeders out there. Don’t expect the local
shops to buy everything you have at a full wholesale price. I know . . . maybe
the show paid $.50 for a fish and sold it to you for $1.50 to $2.00, but you must
understand that the shop may only want a dozen or two and you have 200 to
sell. Well maybe the answer is to give the show a break and sell them to the
shop for $.15-$.20 each and get rid of a bunch and let the shop have a sale on
the fish . . . consider what size you bought the fish at . . . most likely it was 3/4
to full grown, and most likely you have 1/4 - 1/2 size fish to sell the shop . . . you
get less money here also. Along with this is the idea that the fish you sell must
be of first class quality . . . no missing fins . . . no nipped fins . . . no missing gill
plates . . . no stunted fish . . . nothing that you wouldn’t buy yourself . . . THIS IS
A MUST!!! The fish you sell MUST . . . MUST . . . MUST be in excellent health. If
you ever sell a sick fish to a shop, don’t ever expect to be welcome back in the
shop. Lastly . . . spend money at the store, be fair with the dealers, they really
are making a living with the fish they sell, you just think you are. Sometimes even
be willing to take merchandise in exchange for fish . . . cooperation is the key to
the ball game. Come on Fish Shop Owners . . . encourage the hobby . . . establish
yourself a good and fair policy about buying fish from breeders you know . . . trust
me it usually works. The local breeders can be awfully nice people and they have

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