I started my mission to stop Walmart puffer fish sales in January 2015, when I discovered 7 Green Spotted Puffers in distress in Walmart's pet department. It began with 2 on the brink, that I bought out of pity just to give them some peace and clean water for a night before they passed on. They were skinny and covered with ich. They were able to eat some bloodworms, but I didn't think they'd last the night. Amazingly, in the morning I was greeted by 2 very excited white bellies pressed against the tank glass. I went back to Walmart for the rest. The idea that these advanced skills fish had somehow ended up next to the garden and paint section of a retail mega giant, was baffling. In fact, why Walmart sold any fish seemed beyond bizaare. The Why question kept coming up when I talked to people about my new obsession with saving the Walmart puffs. I have interviewed countless Walmart managers and associates, asking if they had any idea why. They are always reluctant to criticize Walmart, but none could come up with a reason to justify all the hassle and neglected fish.
Every wet store (wet store sells fish, dry stores sell dry goods, no live fish) has to deal with sick & dead fish, concerned customers endless compaints, as well as broken down tank systems, and daily maintanance. I wondered if Walmart sells live fish so cheap, how can they turn a profit? How is it worth it to have associates wasting time feeding and cleaning tanks, instead of working the store?
After 3 months of failed attempts, I met the supply driver for Quality Pets INC. I had been told he knew the answer.
He asked to remain anonymous.
We met in front of the display tanks. He said he'd heard about me and figured I'd find him eventually. I wanted to know why the supplier QUALITY PETS INC was selling puffers through Walmart when they knew they most likely would die there. At first he attempted to be evasive, dancing around the question and offering me rediculous claims. I pointed out the puffers, starving and sickly, that had already been there for a week . He scoffed saying they were not starving , that the puffers he delivers are perfectly healthy, as he dumped bags of fish into tanks. He really pushed me, saying his puffers at home eat whole heads of lettuce. He was testing me to see what I knew about puffers, and what he could get away with. By insulting my intelligence, he hoped I would lose it and get escorted out.
I followed him as he finished his drop off, politely but relentlessly while he mumbled trying to ignore me. Finally I said, Look, If you won't take me seriously, I want the name of your supervisor AND the name of your Walmart sales rep.
He then stated to me; Puffers have "personality" which makes them good in a 1 fish capacity bowl. They're a big seller because they're particularely entertaining. "1 puffer keeps the asses in the seats", so no need to buy a bunch of fish.
As we stood in the pet dept asle i could sense he was beginning to lose patience .He was tired of myexasperated questions, my nievety. Speaking from a business prospective I asked, Why was this lucrative for Walmart? What's the point of selling something that didn't at least make the bottom line? He suddenly reached out, grabbed a box off the shelf in front of me, held it right in front of my face, and said,
"AQUA-TECH IS WALMART'S BRAND".
He walked away leaving me standing there literally in shock.
It all made sense. Terrible sense.
These words sent me on a mission that uncovered a corporate alliance thats kills thousands of Green Spotted Puffers needlessly in order to cash in on human compassion .