Don't trust fish store employees too much...

[elephantnose3334]

Writing something once answers one question. The internet is a mind with dementia - it forgets. So the same questions will appear time after time, and the same answers, if they are true, will be supplied. We have people here who cut and paste answers in, like Colin sometimes does, because the info is valid and very few people look at past threads.
If your goal is to contribute to the success of others, you'll see the same questions over and over. The poor advice from petstores, awful online videos, can I buy huge fish for small tanks, is my cycle in trouble, why is my aggressive fish acting aggressively type threads pop up again and again and again, always asked by new people who need info. So the same answers also return.

I agree. There are mostly bad things that big box pet stores do. I did not research well when I got my first tank, but improving constantly over time to study the fish I got.

 

[GaryE]

I agree. There are mostly bad things that big box pet stores do. I did not research well when I got my first tank, but improving constantly over time to study the fish I got.

That's not at all what the post you quoted was talking about. We all have to repeat info because we all see the same posts at least once a year, often more. The well meaning but harmful reposting of cruelty videos is a common one here, the frustration with glib pet shop advice appears weekly sometimes, the miracle no water change ideas come back like bad pizza, the parents won't buy tanks is a semi-regular complaint, the difficulties of buying fish online are raised a lot - these are all shared questions a lot of people have in common. People with more experience tend to answer them the same way, over and over again.
Your search says more about how often people ask the same questions than how people answer them. There are some very patient and generous people here, like @Essjay .

 

[Essjay]

There are some very patient and generous people here

And @GaryE

 

[sharkweek178]

I agree. I always say not trusting store employees is the first rule, then add that a fish keeper needs to do their own research. That's the second rule.

My personal rule is that I always know what I'm buying before I even walk into the store. I do the research and makes my decision before I go. And I call ahead to see if they have what I want in stock. I never buy an animal on impulse. I want to know if it's compatible with my water parameters, tank size, conditions and the other fish and invertebrates I already have before I commit to that purchase.
I might buy equipment or fish food on impulse. Maybe even a plant. But never an animal. If I wasn't planning on buying it before I walked in, then I'm not walking out with it.

 

[elephantnose3334]

Reviving this thread because I have known the golden rule of fishkeeping nowadays. Hi @Essjay, I have followed the golden rules of fishkeeping again. Not buying anymore fish for my 41L and caring for the remaining ones. I do like the golden rules because it's helpful to other members.