17/11/2013
The Living Color
Aqualife 2013 (Pune)
Well let me start of by saying that Pune Mirror boasted of 400 varieties of fish being displayed which seemed very unlikely. They also said that Oscars and Alligator Gar were rare fish.. So i didnt know what to expect. However a big thanks to Laukik Soman for having an Annual event like this which is pretty rare in Pune for Aquarium hobbyists.
(Please note, the below view points are that of a hobbyist)
As usual, i visited on the last day of the exhibition, that’s when customer experience and fish care are really tested. Started off by buying a Rs.40 ticket (pretty affordable, free parking) and was greeted by a huge drum with some Koi’s in them near the entrance. As I joined the crowd (pretty decent numbers), I was unfortunate to have a pesky kid banging the glass of each aquarium in excitement driving the fish away (Grrrrr.. He’s a kid.. He’s a KID).. Had to let a couple of people go ahead so that I could get some decent pictures.
The first enclave was that of The Living Color. That’s where the kid was banging the glass.. there were no attendees to stop this.. no fence to maintain distance. Anyway, must say, wasn’t as attractive as last year. Had a couple of decent tanks, some nice Moss in one tank, Pellia and HT growing immersed, some decent backdrops and a lot of products (sand, food, filter etc). The sharks in a tank were covered with ICH and there were a pair of RC Oranda’s dying a slow death (had to tell a potential buyer not to buy the sharks). The highlight of my experience with The Living Color was me pointing out to the owner Inderjeet Bansal, sitting just near the Cichlid tank, that there was a dead cichlid stuck in one of the rock crevices facing the tank. His response was just a shrug and a look away like he didn’t give a s**t.
The second enclave was that of Blessings Aquarium. The first sign that greeted me was that of “No Photography”. I was perplexed and took permission from the owner Aditee who agreed since I was a hobbyist. Upon reaching the first tank I understood why no photography, no scaring the fish I guess, there was also a bamboo\string fence between the tanks and us (phew) and was pleasantly surprised to see a couple of hobbyists assisting the owners. The first tank itself was probably the main attraction, a marine tank with the most colorful fish, quite a few decently planted tanks, then ofcourse the Jelly fish!!, Anemones, lots of products as well. The owner, Aditee kept the young children involved by asking them to tell their names in the PA system along with which tank\fish they liked.. and to no surprise, even with the Jelly Fish and Marine tank there, most of the kids loved the ‘Angry Birds’ tank. I think the owners (Aditee and Richard) planned the entire show properly as their arrangements catered to different types of age groups and level of hobbyists. It was also good to see them interacting with the crowd. But most of all… no dead or sick fish and all plants looked healthy!
The third enclave was that of Manish Aquriums. Nicely greeted by a simple salt water tank with clownfish. Then a huge stack of their products. I was particulary interested in a small filter with a spraybar, when told the price I almost fainted… Moving on.. Some nice looking flowerhorns, overhearing Harish telling a customer that he doesn't sell growth hormones for FH (Yayyy).. Saw a TV Aquarium.. No decent planted tank.. What I also saw was Koi fish in fish bowls!!, SIX 3inch Oscars covered in ICH in a 2 feet tank, Two 2 feet tank containing 2 One foot Koi in each tank with no Oxygen (the fish were struggling for air), 2 One-n-half feet Alligator Gar in a 2 feet tank each (How are they supposed to move????) and this was in one isolated corner of the show with no attendants (This was highlighted as a rare fish mind you) and the most tearful sight was that of 2 adult discus covered in ICH, rot and what looked like a tumor waiting to be put out of their misery..
I solemnly vow I will never visit their side in any future shows. Their apathy towards the health of the fish was again overwhelming. Last year there were multiple tanks with no oxygen, 3-4 flower horns dying, painted fish etc. Their staff didn’t care back then either.
Anyways… moving on…
Would have loved to see some space dedicated to intermediate hobbyists to display their creations for non-commercial interests. Would have loved to see a lot more varieties of fish (Sting ray, Arowana, Red-Tail Shark etc). Would have loved to see Ecorium!
What went well.. A lot more saltwater tanks compared to last year, Blessings and their interactive skills.
A lot of effort and investment goes into putting together such an event. We Puneites, rarely get to see such events.. So much appreciation to Laukik and the 3 Aquarium shops. But at the end of the day.. please care for the fish.
