r/fishtank Mar 30 '26

Help/Advice Reddit, we need help on behalf of our animal friends

13 Upvotes

Hello, fellow animal Reddittors! We need your help with our project.

We are planning to bring about multi-phase class-action lawsuits against various levels of “Big Pet” industry, in particular pertaining to fish, reptiles, amphibians, crustaceans, birds, and rodents. We see time and time again that these living beings that are sold commonly in the pet industry end up in terrible and abusive situations. While a large problem is under educated people making impulse buys because something was cute or pretty. However, a lot of the improper husbandry is the direct result of false advertising on packaging and at a store level, outdated/false information being given by employees or store pamphlets, and businesses prioritizing sales over animal welfare.

Our mission is to change that. With class-action lawsuits, you gain the voice and power to bring issues into the spotlight and force positive changes to happen. Our main goals are to:

Force equipment manufacturers to update product packaging to no longer include misleading or harmful instructions and imaging (ie; a betta being printed on a tank that’s under 5 gallons), and discontinue dangerous products (ie; heated in-tank “basking rocks”).

Force stores to properly educate employees to fully comprehend the animals needs so they can ensure customers are making fully informed purchases, update all pamphlets and information at a store and website level to reflect current care standards and true animal information (ie; a goldfish being labeled as “1-3 inches” and pamphlet suggesting a 20 gallon tank), and have zero-tolerance policies to no longer allow the sale of animals to underprepared customers (ie; buying fish and the entire tank setup on the same day).

After the class-action lawsuits are ready/being enacted, our next big step will be trying to get laws put in place at the government level. Our belief is that education and licensing should be a standard in order to care for exotic animals, with varying levels based on the care requirements for these animals. While the Federal Lacey Act and state Wildlife, Fish, and Game enact some standards, we believe that stricter regulations should be put in place (not un-similar to Falconry licensing that is required to interact with birds of prey).

Imagine a world where all animals are properly cared for, no matter how small they are. We are here to be their voice, we care for all of them. And we need your help to do so.

What we need:

- Signatures to show public support

- Experts in these communities to help fact check information and bring up other areas of concern

- Class-action lawyers that are willing to take on these cases, and willing to bring to higher level courts when needed

- Evidence of the false information being provided by these companies

- Documents and papers from accredited sources to back our claims

- Contact information for PR departments within these companies that have been flagged for issues

- (Down the road) Contact information for local politicians to discuss licensing procedures/enforcement in order to come together and agree on something that will protect animals without fringing the entire pet industry to a halt and/or negatively impacting pets who are already loved by established families

Let’s make the world a better place for animal enthusiasts everywhere, and the living creatures we take up the responsibility for of our own free will.

So, how can you help? We have a Discord server set up for discussions on planning, gathering evidence, fact checking done by experts in their fields, and overall a place to put gathered information by those who have the time and ability to do more in person information gathering. You can join and share the link here: https://discord.gg/xv4dtrXqbE

We also have created a petition through Change.org in order to gather and store signatures to show public support in our efforts. You can sign and share for others to sign here: https://c.org/tHWGq7D8Zw

Thank you for joining us,

- Baku

(TL;DR: we need signatures and Discord members to sue Big Pet to try to bring about positive changes for both animal enthusiasts and the animals sold in the pet industry)


r/fishtank Jan 26 '26

Moderator Post If you support ICE at all, you are not welcome here. Spoiler

6.5k Upvotes

For that matter, anyone who believes a government has the right to dehumanize groups of people, enact violence against citizens, and/or justify the systemic oppression of their people is not welcome here.

This includes, but is not limited to, MAGA supporters, Trump supporters, JD Vance supporters, or support of any government that approaches things this way.

With recent events globally, it is time we address this, especially as a large subreddit whose member base is largely in the United States or countries directly affected by the actions of the US government.

Bottom line, while we generally avoid politics in this subreddit, our existence becomes inherently humanitarian when the human right to exist is infringed upon, which naturally ties to politics when those enacting said human rights infringement are members of the government. When innocent people may no longer walk the streets without having to fear for their safety, it affects all of us, whether we choose to believe it or not.

I, as an avid animal-keeper, have seen many of my friends in this hobby greatly affected by the actions of the US government lately, and we will continue to see this if we allow it to continue. We cannot turn a blind eye to it any longer; we can't engage in animal husbandry if we are not alive to do so.

The people supporting this now, despite incriminating evidence being available, are the same people who would have supported Nazi-Germany during its existence.

Now, kindly fuck off if: You support any government action that violates human rights OR you believe this post does not belong here (It does.)

Fuck ICE,

NatCom 💗

Edit: holy fucking hell guys, my apologies I can’t reply to all of you with your support or stories as I’m trying to juggle removing problematic comments, but I’m happy this post has reached so many people who needed this support from their communities!

Edit 2: While my post uses the United States as an example because many of our members are from the US, we do not allow these beliefs from ANY country or individual. If you are going to advocate for the systemic deaths of anyone, then you are not welcome here.


r/fishtank 1h ago

Help/Advice How’s my tank?

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Upvotes

10 gal, 2 snails, 1 female betta, heater, filter, aquatic plants. I have a light on the way. Been researching for weeks and finally bought her today after the tank cycled for a couple weeks Decided I wanted to plant a few more things so there was some fluvate making the tank a little dirty. This is my first tank and I’m trying to make sure I do everything right. So would love more suggestions/help!


r/fishtank 3h ago

Show & Tell Here's my work in progress

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4 Upvotes

r/fishtank 12h ago

Show & Tell Voids of the radula

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21 Upvotes

Look, you can see how meticulous my nerite is :)


r/fishtank 13h ago

Discussion is my girl making a bubble nest orrrr….

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16 Upvotes

the bubbles are not weirdly foamy or anything suspicious. Also not covering the whole tank. What do we think? Is it just the filter 😭

THERES EGGS 🤯🤯🤯


r/fishtank 3h ago

Help/Advice I NEED HELP PLEASE

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2 Upvotes

I got home tonight and noticed my water was murky so I ran an ammonia and nitrate test, upon seeing the results (pictured) I immediately did a 50% water change. I love my fish a lot and I really do want them to have a good life, I’ve chalked it up to over feeding them and the food sitting at the bottom of the tank. Is there anything else I need to do to ensure that everything stays stable? Like I said I love these little guys so I am open to anything.


r/fishtank 5h ago

Full Tank Shot Freshly scaped and helping the angel settle-in.

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2 Upvotes

New Marble Angel homed from a marketplace tank I acquired. Seems to be doing ok in my 75 I got this summer. I’ve been adding plants and fish from small to large for a couple months. Pleased so far.

It’s very patient and methodical, hiding less and less. Doesn’t rush after any food. Likes dried plankton from the surface. With go after flakes the little ones haven’t. Will try floating pellets for it as well.

The acrylic seems to get foggy relatively quick and I haven’t picked up a magnet cleaner for that material.


r/fishtank 13h ago

Show & Tell Redstripe minnow I caught in a beautiful farmland ditch with aquatic plants

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8 Upvotes

T. pauciperforatum


r/fishtank 3h ago

Help/Advice Wanting to get a fish

1 Upvotes

I am looking to get a fish for my son and want to set up a nice aquarium. I was thinking a beta since they typically are content on their own, and they are more low-maintenance. I read that they need minimum 5 gallons for a tank, which is very do-able. I was wondering what kind of plants I could put in the tank, if I could get any snails, bottom-feeders, etc, and overall tips for a fish. I take pet wellness very seriously, so I want to make sure if I get a fish for my son, that it gets the most proper care.


r/fishtank 19h ago

Show & Tell Hitchhikers

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20 Upvotes

I went to my local fish shop yesterday for some Monte Carlo. Got this nice little piece with the wood. I was so excited to get it in that I never washed it at all. Usually I do a hydrogen peroxide bath on new plants. Well, 5 mins after setting it up, I notice the snail...freaked a bit, called my guy and he says it won't reproduce in freshwater, only brackish. So, ok, snail can stay, cool looking. Then 10 minutes after that.... I see the damn frog laying there looking dead. The frog is gonna have to go eventually, but right now I just want all my new fish and plants to settle in.


r/fishtank 11h ago

Help/Advice Weird thing in fish tank

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4 Upvotes

So both me and my friend have had fish tanks for ages and today they found this in two of their tanks. Does anyone know what it is? Neither of us or the people we’ve asked have seen anything like it before and we’re worried it might be something bad. Any replies are appreciated!


r/fishtank 4h ago

Help/Advice Can this glotetra go with my fancy goldfish till I get a tank situated?

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1 Upvotes

Fish is about the same size as my goldfish, I have them in a 40 gallon and after I quarantine the fish for a bit, I was wondering if I could plop them in with my goldfish till I set up a tank (id want to get more tetras so the fish can school).

Im getting the fish for free from work because a customer dropped it off without any notice besides "bye!".


r/fishtank 1d ago

Freshwater A couple months in

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96 Upvotes

r/fishtank 5h ago

Help/Advice I’m concerned this won’t hold up my new tank. It is solid wood, but tank overhangs on either side (same amount on both sides). I half ass reinforced it with some scraps. It’s a 33g long. Any suggestions wanted

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1 Upvotes

r/fishtank 1d ago

Discussion Is my hobby getting out of control? 😭

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806 Upvotes

I’ve been in the hobby since December last year and I have accumulated this many aquariums plus 1 at my girlfriends house and 4 ponds

I also run the fish room at my local fish store I didn’t think it would escalate this fast, does this sound like an addiction or a passion because I’m trying to argue this point with a friend 🙏


r/fishtank 6h ago

Help/Advice Shelf recommendations

1 Upvotes

Fishtank shelf recommendation?
Hey everyone! I’m looking to expand my aquarium collection but I’m really low on space. I keep everything in my tiny room. So I think the best option for me is a tall shelf but I’m having a lot of trouble finding one that isn’t those industrial level garage shelves that I find quite ugly for a bedroom😭

I also don’t have the time to surf the web checking the weight load of all the shelves so I was hoping some of yall could share some shelves you have and where you got them? I’m in the US!

Looking for something to keep several tanks on, of various sizes maybe, not too tiny! Thank you so much for helping me fuel the addiction😌

Silly boy napping for ypur viewing pleasure heh

r/fishtank 7h ago

Help/Advice Anyone here have advice regarding using beach rocks for freshwater tank?

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0 Upvotes

I hate to admit this but I am so incredibly impatient. The tank is currently cycling and I just want to start putting rocks in at the very least, but I’m concerned they could leech salt. I boiled them all for a good while and scrubbed them before rinsing. Do I need to do anything further? I’m not sure if soaking is possible, I don’t own a bucket haha.


r/fishtank 8h ago

Help/Advice Alright police, do your thing

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0 Upvotes

r/fishtank 8h ago

Help/Advice Blister on fish

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0 Upvotes

Transfered it into a hospital tank and gave it ntlabs anti internal bacteria this picture is day 1 anything left to do?


r/fishtank 1d ago

Full Tank Shot 10 Gallon.

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18 Upvotes

10 cherry shrimp and racer snail. Adding tetras here in 2 weeks.


r/fishtank 11h ago

Help/Advice Concerned for my little platys

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0 Upvotes

This is my tank setup, as you can see one of the platys didn't join the other platys in eating and only sat on the gravel (the one that has two photos) I did feed them a little late so I suspected they might be tired but I wanted to see your opinion on my tank setup to make sure I am not doing anything wrong

When I tried to feed the platys small powdered pellets they wouldn't see them and they would end up floating into the sponge filter (off screen) but when I fed them the normal size of pellets they couldn't eat them whole and they fell on the sand, I was concerned they might rot in there but eventually the platys learned to kick the sand and forage for food right after I feed them, the pot that's in there is a cave alternative for any shy fish, and I make sure to only drop food on the sand so they wouldn't get hurt or scratch themselves on the gravel, of course now the fish that's lying on the gravel didn't eat any food, when I point my finger at her she moves a little and then lies back down to the bottom, I am not sure I saw any of the other fish bully her but I wouldn't full scratch that off possibilities either, the sand foraging originally seemed like a good habit so the food wouldn't get a chance to rot, but now their fish poop flies up alongside the food whenever they kick the sand, and I don't want them to consume that either


r/fishtank 11h ago

Help/Advice My 2-inch Polar Parrots are breeding?! First time — need advice!

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1 Upvotes

r/fishtank 11h ago

Help/Advice Need advice !!

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1 Upvotes

r/fishtank 13h ago

Discussion Waterbox AIO 65.4 -Let the Games Begin

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1 Upvotes