RSPCA Approved Fish Rehoming

If you are looking for someone to take of your fish for whatever reason, and want to ensure they get a good home, then as I have mentioned before, try Richard Holland.

There was an article in the Sheffield Star about him last night, and this way you will know for certain that the rehomer is registered.

Of course, not all rehomers are bad, but there is a rising trend on the internet of people claiming to rehome fish, only to then sell them. I am making NO accusations against anyone, but wanted people to be aware that fish keeping is an expensive hobby, and therefore if you can't keep up with their needs, then as with any other pet, don't take them on.

Fish keeping is not about putting water in a tank and adding fish, there is far more to it than that.

Anyways, here is the article http://www.thestar.co.uk/features/SMITH-OF-THE-STAR-.6123158.jp

Cheers

Angi

OOH ive known Richard for many years used to live few doors down from me in old house great chap didn,t know he was into that all though did know he kept fish.

OOH ive known Richard for many years used to live few doors down from me in old house great chap didn,t know he was into that all though did know he kept fish.

Yep, great fella, it's amazing what lengths he goes to to be able to save a fish, no matter how large or small. Some of the rescues he's made would make your hair stand on end.

just to let you all know I am working with richard as i myself run another fish rescue if ever you need to contact him either you can search direct or contact me via PM on here and i can contact him on your behalf Although i myself am not RSPCA approved we are working together to balance loads as it can get busy. If he cannot do a rescue through the RSPCA for whatever reasons they will be contacting me to help.

Can i also add angilaruk its nice for people to realise fish can be very hard to look after I have 15 years experience with fishkeeping and i myself am always learning about new fish that we get contacted about.

Dfishy

I don't think anyone who doesn't keep fish truly understands the commitment that they actually are.

If they were buying most other pets that they'd never kept before they would generally do a little research, however, with fish it's just "add water and they're fine" How I wish it was true lol

My other half noticed on AC today someone is selling arapaima's!!! I mean, what right minded fish seller would want to sell these? Who has the facilities to home a fish that gets as big as 8 feet???

I foresee far more rescues with these fish in the future. In my personal opinion, all monster/large fish should be restricted/licensed, that way it would help them not become another statistic (if that was only true)

How many fish shops sell red tail cats, shovel nose, hell, even the common plec, and never bother to inform the buyer how big they get.

We all have fish concerns where pets @ home are, but at least they use a questionnaire when selling their fish.

I could go on, but I'm more than sure that you've heard it all before, and will again and again <sigh>

Anyhow, it's good to know that there is someone helping Richard out.

Cheers

Angi

Its not a new problem 'tankbusters' are always a headache for me I have a Giraffe catfish on the website who is needing a new home currently in a 6'x2'x2' fishtank but he is outgrowing it the owner is wanting a 8' tank minimum i unfortunatly had to tell him in the nicest way that i doubt anyone has a tank of that size in their living room. althought i haven't come across arapaimas YET i stress yet it is inevitable one will appear somewhere.

This is how i started the rescue as about 6 years ago i rescued a common Plec ( which is still with us and my 'baby' not much to look at but for some reason theres something about him i like) he was in one of those plastic 'coldwater' tanks which hold about 2 gallon.

Fishkeeping needn't be hard if we all do the research bit before purchasing fish but who actually does this i know in the past i have seen fish in a shop that i have gone wow and bought some without researching first ok they were just common fish i must stress ( black widow tetras if i remember correctly) i am sure i am not the only experienced fishkeeper who has done that and not going to be the last.

Pets at home hmm where do i begin A friend of mine ( her first attempt with goldfish ) was buying a goldfish for her 3 year old son ( I made sure she knew what she was letting herself in for after all we all started with goldfish personal experience i now have 2 tropical tanks 2 coldwater it takes off) anyway one fish he wanted looked ok but the other fish in the tank had 'tatty' fins after asking a sales person to be told 'oh thats normal' now 1 month on the fish she purchased has now passed away sadly due to columnaris disease I helped her out with advice during the illness and it did improve but then came back faster than anyone could have anticipated within 2 hours of its return the fish was dead to cut a long story short she complained to the area manager who was not happy with the situation and gave her £100 in vouchers. happy ending but unfortunatly Dog had to suffer due to retailer lack of awareness ( her sons chosen name for the fish Dog)

I'm sorry to hear about your friends fish, it's always hard when fish die. However, I wasn't advocating the fish that pets @ home sell, but the questions that they ask. It's something I think all fish shops should adopt. OK, they may lose the odd sale where people think it's none of their business, but it certainly would be better for the fish they sell.

You guys are doing a great job of rehoming unwanted/rescued fish

Id also like to see more awareness from pet stores and aquatics shops selling common pleco and not giving much..if any indication to potential buyers that they can grow to nearly 2 feet in length, merely worrying about making money than the welfare of fish. As you have all mentioned species such as red tail catfish, arrows and arapaima all need specialist tanks, and who in there right mind sticks an arapaima in a tank in the first place!!

People should research, then research some more before getting into the hobby to ensure they and the fish get a decent deal. I breed rare pleco's and know the importance of water cleanliness and the right care that they deserve.

Angilaruk i agree some pets at home stores do a decent job and most of the fish i have purchased from there stores in the past have done well but it is most of the time staff members not carrying out procedures ( not all staff don't i have come across some that do ask the correct questions but it needs to be Industry wide not just one brand of stores that ask the questions.)

exactly Moonman i am sure if richard uses these forums he would tell you a few horror stories ( he has enlightened me on a few but i know thats only the tip of the iceberg) You probably can see where i am coming from in relation to the plecs theres just something about them that appeals ....

I agree Moonman ..... it's the same with rare pleco's to some extent. They see something like a zebra pleco, and "want one", regardless of the care required, or indeed the cost. Nevermind that most of the fish are in hiding for most of the day LOL

We have a fish room, with certain fish that we breed, but for the normal community tank, you want something that you can enjoy most of the time, not just some.

OK, I'd better get of my preaching stool, someone may come and knock me of soon ;p

I must admit that i like the look of a zebra pleco or a bristlenose BUT i am resisting i know i don't have the space for it. what fish do you breed angilaruk