5ft long white tip reef shark at my LFS (Pic & Video)

xenon · 01/10/2007, 11:27 PM

There is a 5ft white tip reef shark at my local Big Al's that is in a 2000g tank. I was told the minimum tank size for a shark this large is 20,000g.

He has been in this tank for at least 3years and was only 3ft when they first got him.

It's unfortunate that a shark like this must suffer in order to pull in customers.

Click Here To Watch The Video

fish like me · 01/10/2007, 11:30 PM

Boycott Big Al Now!!

I saw the video, and it's sickening how the poor animal is going round and round. You can clearly see that he's cramped in there and very unhappy. This suXX. Just like eXXon.

I'm going to call this store tomorrow and register my disgust with them. You guys should do the same.

MikeBrke · 01/10/2007, 11:34 PM

I love the fact that he is trying to sell live rock at 11.99 lb (middle right hand side of pic)! That is crazy! When are people going to stop paying those crazy prices and let LFS's know we want it cheaper!

Prock1 · 01/10/2007, 11:34 PM

Awesome

Amphiprion · 01/10/2007, 11:35 PM

That is pathetic.

xenon · 01/10/2007, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by fish like me
Boycott Big Al Now!!

I saw the video, and it's sickening how the poor animal is going round and round. You can clearly see that he's cramped in there and very unhappy. This suXX. Just like eXXon.

I'm going to call this store tomorrow and register my disgust with them. You guys should do the same.

There is two bigals in my city (Ottawa & Kanata, Ontario) with a shark in the exact same size tank.

fish like me · 01/10/2007, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MikeBrke
I love the fact that he is trying to sell live rock at 11.99 lb (middle right hand side of pic)! That is crazy! When are people going to stop paying those crazy prices and let LFS's know we want it cheaper!

In Canadian dollars that amounts to roughly about 10 American dollars. RIP OFF!!!! BOYCOTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

E-A-G-L-E-S · 01/10/2007, 11:39 PM

maybe if he didn't charge $12/lb of live rock he wouldn't need to slowly kill that beauty

for more customers.....

drummereef · 01/10/2007, 11:39 PM

That makes me sick.

fish like me · 01/10/2007, 11:45 PM

Man, this is really ****ing me off. So much so that I've already searched for their phone numbers online. Here they are if someone here wants to call these people and give them a piece of their mind.

Ottawa East - 1900 Innes Rd. Ottawa, Ont. K1B 3K5
(613) 244-3474
Ottawa West - 145 Roland Michener Dr. Kanata Ont. K2T 1G7
(613) 592-2822

If for nothing else, I am going to let them have it for the sake of my own livestock.

xenon · 01/10/2007, 11:46 PM

It's not just overpriced live rock.. everything in Canada is 75% more than US. You can check the http://www.bigalsonline.ca compared to the http://www.bigalsonline.com and laugh.

zemuron114 · 01/10/2007, 11:47 PM

11.99 for VANUATU live rock is pretty good actually. My LFS gets some in and it is gorgeous rock. huge slabs and porous... It isn't the usual crap most LFS get. lol

Big Als is just like pet co in a way, but on a much larger scale. lol

The one in FL i hear is the best in the Chain and does treat everything well.

xenon · 01/11/2007, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by zemuron114
11.99 for VANUATU live rock is pretty good actually. My LFS gets some in and it is gorgeous rock. huge slabs and porous... It isn't the usual crap most LFS get. lol

Big Als is just like pet co in a way, but on a much larger scale. lol

The one in FL i hear is the best in the Chain and does treat everything well.

Are you smokin crack? lol

I paid $5/lb for my Hatian LR and that seems to be the going rate. $12/lb is borderline stealing.

ACBlinky · 01/11/2007, 01:00 AM

Ugh, I don't like seeing sharks in captivity at all, let alone such a big one in such a small (relatively speaking) tank. That's one thing I find really distasteful about the Big Al's chain -- their shark tanks.

I do shop at BA's on occasion because they have things I can't find elsewhere, and I've bought LR from them -- Fiji usually costs about $5.50-$6.99 CD, others cost anywhere up to the $12 you see above, which is usually for really premium rock (at least at the location where I shop). The more you buy, the cheaper it is -- if you buy over 30lbs it's usually a few dollars less per pound. If you're there at the right time you can get some very nice rock -- the last few pieces of Fiji I purchased had zoas, macro, little snails and worms and a tiny crab that looks like a mithrax (he's in the 'fuge until I can be sure he's safe). They're happy to let you cherry pick from new shipments, and have HUGE rock bins, so it's not all bad.

mk2flip · 01/11/2007, 01:36 AM

Seemingly great prices on aquaria and supplies pales in comparison to the fact that beautiful animals have to suffer to draw business.

Reet15 · 01/11/2007, 01:40 AM

Thats so sad. Things people won't hurt for that almighty dollar!

mikeadams1985 · 01/11/2007, 02:10 AM

thats wrong!!! how unfair on that shark

also LR over here in the UK, cheapest ive found is 8GBP a kg which is like what...14dollars?

Aquaman · 01/11/2007, 02:45 AM

Not a good tank for the shark, but it would make one heck of a reef tank.

waif · 01/11/2007, 03:02 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by xenon
There is two bigals in my city (Ottawa & Kanata, Ontario) with a shark in the exact same size tank.

The Big Als in Edmonton, Alberta has a shark as well, in with a bunch of other fish. Its a gimmick they promote (at least used to) with their "Shark Feeding days" a lot of people think it is quite neat, those more informed look on with horror then seem to keep buying there. I for one do not shop there, nor have I ever.

waverider17 · 01/11/2007, 05:02 AM

my first post on RC (lurking for a while and learning a lot thanks guys and gals) I am horrified at this! Yes I can see the attracation for those who know no better "ooh mommy look its jaws!!" But cruel is not a strong enough word for it. If this was happening in the Uk the RSPCA would close the shop down. what I find unbeliveable is that this is happening in more than one shop a bloody chain of them!!!! Boycott big als definately and complain complain complain. THIS IS CRUEL/SAD UNFORGIVABLE PERIOD!
well done xenon for bringing this to everyones attention.
Rick

emerald chondro · 01/11/2007, 05:28 AM

wow one of our local Lfs has the same shark but in a 15,000+ gallon tank......and i thought he had it reall bad

But this is an atrocity

BOYcott Big Al

JokerGirl · 01/11/2007, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MikeBrke
I love the fact that he is trying to sell live rock at 11.99 lb (middle right hand side of pic)! That is crazy! When are people going to stop paying those crazy prices and let LFS's know we want it cheaper!

That's Canadian dollars Mike.

Rosseau · 01/11/2007, 11:54 AM

At ~.86 cents on the dollar, that is still about $10.30

The Oakville, Ontario location has a 5,000 gal with 2 of those sharks in it. It seems a little more humane. I believe it is/was hailed as the crown jewel for Big Al's stores, at least when it opened.

http://bigalscanada.com/images/store...04/pic24lg.jpg

jacmyoung · 01/11/2007, 12:13 PM

Looked like a well maintained LFS to me. I have seen sharks in smaller tanks in many stores live as long as the stores last. The fact he has grown two feet in the last three years tells me he was treated well. If that is what it takes to support a good reef store stay in business...

I started off being critical of people keeping fish in smaller settings than we believe proper, has since changed my atittude. There are more and more evidence that if you feed fish properly some rules can be broken. What is unacceptable is not spending time and effort to keep the LFS in top condition and you begin to see livestock getting sick all the time and dead fish floating around.

reefshadow · 01/11/2007, 03:07 PM

Don't get me wrong, it is very unfortunate, but i've seen worse. At least it can turn around.

I think it's hard to judge w/o knowing the story, maybe they were kind enough to take this animal off an owner that was in even less of a position to take care of it. Hard to get public aquariums to take animals like this.

Lol, maybe i'm an optimist.

Hopefully they are trying to find better placement for this animal.

01/10/2007, 11:27 PM	#1
xenon Owner of Canada Corals Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mississauga, Canada Posts: 3,148	5ft long white tip reef shark at my LFS (Pic & Video) There is a 5ft white tip reef shark at my local Big Al's that is in a 2000g tank. I was told the minimum tank size for a shark this large is 20,000g. He has been in this tank for at least 3years and was only 3ft when they first got him. It's unfortunate that a shark like this must suffer in order to pull in customers. Click Here To Watch The Video

01/10/2007, 11:34 PM	#3
MikeBrke Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 224	I love the fact that he is trying to sell live rock at 11.99 lb (middle right hand side of pic)! That is crazy! When are people going to stop paying those crazy prices and let LFS's know we want it cheaper! __________________ Snail down! Snail down! Current Tank Info: Nothing right now. Gearing up for my next setup!

01/10/2007, 11:34 PM	#4
Prock1 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: S.California Posts: 86	Awesome __________________ Thanks to all of u people here in RC Central. Current Tank Info: 33g corner mix 7g sump

01/10/2007, 11:35 PM	#5
Amphiprion Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mobile, AL Posts: 6,611	That is pathetic. __________________ You've done it now, haven't you? Current Tank Info: 40g breeder patch reef w/ seagrass; 2-250w XM 10K; Vortech MP40wES & MP10wES; BM Curve 7 skimmer; carbon & occasional GFO

01/10/2007, 11:39 PM	#8
E-A-G-L-E-S Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 7,038	maybe if he didn't charge $12/lb of live rock he wouldn't need to slowly kill that beauty for more customers..... __________________ Smug Egotistical Contemptuous It's difficult to get a man to understand something that his salary requires him not to.

01/10/2007, 11:30 PM	#2
fish like me Moved On Join Date: May 2006 Location: at home with mom Posts: 128	Boycott Big Al Now!! I saw the video, and it's sickening how the poor animal is going round and round. You can clearly see that he's cramped in there and very unhappy. This suXX. Just like eXXon. I'm going to call this store tomorrow and register my disgust with them. You guys should do the same.

01/10/2007, 11:39 PM	#9
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	That makes me sick. __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system

01/10/2007, 11:45 PM	#10
fish like me Moved On Join Date: May 2006 Location: at home with mom Posts: 128	Man, this is really ****ing me off. So much so that I've already searched for their phone numbers online. Here they are if someone here wants to call these people and give them a piece of their mind. Ottawa East - 1900 Innes Rd. Ottawa, Ont. K1B 3K5 (613) 244-3474 Ottawa West - 145 Roland Michener Dr. Kanata Ont. K2T 1G7 (613) 592-2822 If for nothing else, I am going to let them have it for the sake of my own livestock.

01/10/2007, 11:46 PM	#11
xenon Owner of Canada Corals Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mississauga, Canada Posts: 3,148	It's not just overpriced live rock.. everything in Canada is 75% more than US. You can check the http://www.bigalsonline.ca compared to the http://www.bigalsonline.com and laugh.

01/10/2007, 11:47 PM	#12
zemuron114 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Pilgrim State (Mass) Posts: 4,039	11.99 for VANUATU live rock is pretty good actually. My LFS gets some in and it is gorgeous rock. huge slabs and porous... It isn't the usual crap most LFS get. lol Big Als is just like pet co in a way, but on a much larger scale. lol The one in FL i hear is the best in the Chain and does treat everything well.

01/11/2007, 01:00 AM	#14
ACBlinky Premium Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Peterborough, ON, Canada Posts: 4,954 Blog Entries: 20	Ugh, I don't like seeing sharks in captivity at all, let alone such a big one in such a small (relatively speaking) tank. That's one thing I find really distasteful about the Big Al's chain -- their shark tanks. I do shop at BA's on occasion because they have things I can't find elsewhere, and I've bought LR from them -- Fiji usually costs about $5.50-$6.99 CD, others cost anywhere up to the $12 you see above, which is usually for really premium rock (at least at the location where I shop). The more you buy, the cheaper it is -- if you buy over 30lbs it's usually a few dollars less per pound. If you're there at the right time you can get some very nice rock -- the last few pieces of Fiji I purchased had zoas, macro, little snails and worms and a tiny crab that looks like a mithrax (he's in the 'fuge until I can be sure he's safe). They're happy to let you cherry pick from new shipments, and have HUGE rock bins, so it's not all bad. __________________ "The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears, or the sea." - Isak Dinesen Current Tank Info: 150g mixed reef, 30g sump/refugium, LED lighting, 100lbs LR, coral beauty, flame angel, blue & yellow tangs, gobies, damsels, 6-line wrasse, lawnmower blenny, dottyback, clown pair, rabbitfish, shrimp, crabs, CUC.

01/11/2007, 01:36 AM	#15
mk2flip Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: earth? Posts: 89	Seemingly great prices on aquaria and supplies pales in comparison to the fact that beautiful animals have to suffer to draw business. __________________ _____________________ (insert BS here) Current Tank Info: 75 gal bow, 30 gal sump\refugium......300 gal in the works

01/11/2007, 01:40 AM	#16
Reet15 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Pueblo, Colorado Posts: 426	Thats so sad. Things people won't hurt for that almighty dollar! __________________ Don't take life too serious, nobody gets out alive anyways!

01/11/2007, 02:10 AM	#17
mikeadams1985 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: liverpool, UK Posts: 123	thats wrong!!! how unfair on that shark also LR over here in the UK, cheapest ive found is 8GBP a kg which is like what...14dollars?

01/11/2007, 02:45 AM	#18
Aquaman Fishinchick's better half Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: St Cloud, FL USA Posts: 2,278	Not a good tank for the shark, but it would make one heck of a reef tank. __________________ Tang Police most wanted Outlaw. ORCA Founder Previous tanks, 125,120, 55,37,20, 15, 10, 5 Current Tank Info: 65 reef

01/11/2007, 05:02 AM	#20
waverider17 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: UK Posts: 13	my first post on RC (lurking for a while and learning a lot thanks guys and gals) I am horrified at this! Yes I can see the attracation for those who know no better "ooh mommy look its jaws!!" But cruel is not a strong enough word for it. If this was happening in the Uk the RSPCA would close the shop down. what I find unbeliveable is that this is happening in more than one shop a bloody chain of them!!!! Boycott big als definately and complain complain complain. THIS IS CRUEL/SAD UNFORGIVABLE PERIOD! well done xenon for bringing this to everyones attention. Rick

01/11/2007, 05:28 AM	#21
emerald chondro Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 311	wow one of our local Lfs has the same shark but in a 15,000+ gallon tank......and i thought he had it reall bad But this is an atrocity BOYcott Big Al

01/11/2007, 11:54 AM	#23
Rosseau Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Kingston, Ontario Posts: 2,049	At ~.86 cents on the dollar, that is still about $10.30 The Oakville, Ontario location has a 5,000 gal with 2 of those sharks in it. It seems a little more humane. I believe it is/was hailed as the crown jewel for Big Al's stores, at least when it opened. http://bigalscanada.com/images/store...04/pic24lg.jpg __________________ Still fighting entropy.

01/11/2007, 12:13 PM	#24
jacmyoung Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 1,421	Looked like a well maintained LFS to me. I have seen sharks in smaller tanks in many stores live as long as the stores last. The fact he has grown two feet in the last three years tells me he was treated well. If that is what it takes to support a good reef store stay in business... I started off being critical of people keeping fish in smaller settings than we believe proper, has since changed my atittude. There are more and more evidence that if you feed fish properly some rules can be broken. What is unacceptable is not spending time and effort to keep the LFS in top condition and you begin to see livestock getting sick all the time and dead fish floating around. Last edited by jacmyoung; 01/11/2007 at 12:24 PM.

01/11/2007, 03:07 PM	#25
reefshadow Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Central Washington Posts: 1,786	Don't get me wrong, it is very unfortunate, but i've seen worse. At least it can turn around. I think it's hard to judge w/o knowing the story, maybe they were kind enough to take this animal off an owner that was in even less of a position to take care of it. Hard to get public aquariums to take animals like this. Lol, maybe i'm an optimist. Hopefully they are trying to find better placement for this animal. __________________ All Your Coral Are Belong To Us Current Tank Info: 30 Deep Blue shallow mixed rimless, MP10, Ecoxotic LED's, SCA 301 skimmer.