[leebca]

Just suppose. . .

A (nameless) very famous movie star calls your local fish store (LFS) and says he/she wants a 500 gallon marine system setup in his/her multi-million dollar home in time for an upcoming party.

Your LFS does the whole job – sets up a living FOWLR system and stocks the system with some expensive, yet relatively hardy marine fishes having gone through quarantine and verified to be healthy and disease free. The project, you can imagine is quite extensive and a labor of love by this reputable LFS. The LFS is keeping daily tabs on the system, considering the lack of knowledge and attention the star seems to be giving the system, until it stabilizes.

The party is held. A few days after the party, the famous star calls the LFS and tells the shocked/surprised LFS that he/she now wants to get rid of the aquarium. Reluctantly the LFS agrees to take it all down and back. The LFS is not going to loose any money on the project both setting up nor taking down, but does feel a tinge of being used as well as the marine life being ‘used’ rather than appreciated.

The LFS shows up with his workers only to discover the tank is empty. No fish. The star is asked by the LFS what happened to the fish and the star replies, “We threw them away.” The LFS is led to believe that after the party, not wanting to have to feed or care for the fish, the star had them flushed or discarded by some other means.



If you’re reading this, chances are you are a marine aquarist at some level, or are interested in keeping marine life (reef, fishes, etc.). So, you are a selective audience. The poll I’ve set up is trying to determine what you think about the above star’s activity and whether or not it would have impact upon how you would view the star’s movie career/work.

Thanks for your time! The poll ends the end of May. Please vote and feel free to express any opinions.

Oh and by the way – the story is true.

[Poseidon]

Makes me SICK!

[Frag Hag]

Possibly it was one heck of a party, and the fish became fatalities from unruly guests!

Sad to say, I'm not surprised at the actor's cavalier attitude toward the fish. The animal shelters are full of pets that were thrown to the streets, social workers' case loads are deluged with parents abusing their children, etc.

Sometimes people are just jerks. Period.

[weez1959]

Poor fish
What an idiot!
Do you know who this was?

[charlie]

Lee,
Why don't you just list the movies this turd has been in, that way we at least have an idea who the heck would do this?
Why protect him/her?

[leebca]

I was so surprised and frankly a bit skeptical that I thought maybe the fish became some sort of 'see if you can catch one' kind of game at the party. I imaged a night of insanity for the fish. A bit like Frag Hag has suggested. But I was assured by the LFS they were 'thrown away' and not a 'part of the party.'

[weez1959]

The LFS may have been told this but why bother catching them and throwing them away? In a 500 gallon tank it would be a lot of trouble catching a live and healthy fish unless there was a reason to do so. Wouldn't it be less trouble to just stop feeding and let them die? Something must have happened and the fish died of poisoning (something introduced to the tank) or something and they were scooped out "dead" before the LFS came to dismantle the tank.
But I'm steering away from the question, I would for sure lose respect for this person!

[leebca]

You're right, Louise. I can't imagine trying to catch a few dozen fish in a 500 with LR. I don't even know how they could do it without spending hours or days at it. I suspect there is some other information we and the LFS doesn't have. Maybe at the party somebody threw something into the tank? Who knows.

[weez1959]

I would put my money on "something dumped in the tank".

[charlie]

It is too bad that a rep from the LFS was not invited to the party. Maybe it could have been prevented. After all, the setup was alot of time and work!!!!!

[Reefland]

Unreal, but not surprising. Sometimes the rich and famous just don't have any respect for things (life) any longer...once they reach that "rich and famous" status.

[Samper]

Extremely sad situation and I would definately boycott whomever it is.

[zhenya]

Originally Posted by Reefland

Unreal, but not surprising. Sometimes the rich and famous just don't have any respect for things (life) any longer...once they reach that "rich and famous" status.

Well said, Scott.

We must also make sure not to generalize about "rich and famous" because some of those who qulifies for the status are quite adamant about protecting life in any shape or form.

[leebca]

There are those rich and famous, and poor and unknown, who fall into each category.

[wozza]

What a c***, I can’t see how anyone could do this intentionally, makes me sick and sad, i hope he/she drowns in the near future!!

P.S = Laws should be written and enforced against these sort of acts

P.S.S although were would you draw the line, would feeding live fish become illigel?



james

[SalTee]

What a c***, I can’t see how anyone could do this intentionally, makes me sick and sad, i hope he/she drowns in the near future!!
_________________________________________________

Nothing aquarium related- but from bad personal experience, BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR. Nothing feels worse than Harm befalling one you wished it on. Enough said.

Besides that, I Definitely think you should boycott this Celeb in the future- you- or any of us- don't know what happened to the animals, but a bit of pessimism may serve you well- assume the worst case senario, and hope for better. However, I'm also VERY curious who this guy is- please tell.

Also from personal experience- trying to solve some things may drive you mad. Sometimes its better just to bring a relative peace to the situation and call it good.

[leebca]

James,

You're from a rather 'different' part of the world. I think in the UK goldfish are banned as being offered as prizes (like at carnivals, etc.). I also believe that in the UK fishes that have been artificially colored are heavily debated.

In the USA, fish don't have rights.

[leebca]

SalTee and others who're curious.

My information is second hand. Had I firsthand information, I would certainly point the finger and tell who we're dealing with. I'm not trying to tease anyone, but I'm not one to spread rumors. Without firsthand direct knowledge, I hesitate to say anything negative about anyone.

[wozza]

James,

You're from a rather 'different' part of the world. I think in the UK goldfish are banned as being offered as prizes (like at carnivals, etc.). I also believe that in the UK fishes that have been artificially colored are heavily debated.

In the USA, fish don't have rights.

Yes that’s correct lee, but only very recently, when I was a young boy about 15 years ago, I won many goldfish in the carnivals. Also most LFS in the UK have signed up to a partition to not sell dyed fish and are putting pressure on those that do, its illegal to sell genetically modified fish but I think its up for debate at the moment.



cheers james

[Clay12340]

I think it definitely shows bad taste, ignorance, as well as a lack of respect for life. It would certainly lower my opinion of the person. Yet that isn't really uncommon when it comes to fish keeping.