PlasticGalaxy
Fish Gatherer
Never listen to pet store workers. Doesn't matter if it's a specialised fish shop or a general pet shop or a guy selling you fish from the back of a van. Unless you personally know the person you're speaking to and are fully aware of the experience they have and you're willing to take the bet that they will give you the full truth when buying from them, do not "take their word for it". Whether you're buying fish, tanks, chemical treatments, or general equipment, always do your own research with whatever you're bagging.
At general pet stores like Pets at Home, Petco, Petsmart, e.t.c., the employees are trained in a vast spread of areas. From rodents to cats and dogs to fish to birds. Most will have one specific area of expertise, but you aren't always going to be so lucky as to be assisted by that one worker who excels in fishkeeping knowledge. As a result, the information you may be given could be subpar and ultimately prove useless in the long run. Of course, there's some merit to every piece of advice you receive - even if you have to dig for the meaning and pick apart the bad bits to flip on their head - and you shouldn't completely disregard everything they say, especially if you're just starting out.
Your local fish shop isn't always your best bet either. Employees at places like Maidenhead Aquatics (UK) are generally more informed than those working at basic pet shops, but this doesn't mean the advice is always sound. Like with any other big retail brand pushing sales, workers are made to tell borderline lies in order to promote a sale. It's nothing new, and it should come as no surprise that this happens in the fishkeeping industry too. Even if a worker knows better, there will typically be someone looming over their shoulder (literally or figuratively) to ensure that they just get as much money raked in as possible.
Independent shops do tend to have some more integrity to them than branches of big corporations, but be aware of sleazy sellers who only want your money. By all means, ask for advice at shops if you need it. In fact, you're far more likely to get a sound answer from independently owned businesses than at your average telescope-eye-selling Pets at Home chain. However, if you see or hear something fishy (insert drum sting here), make sure to do your own research and ask around.
The most important thing to do is conduct your own research. Not even just with fish: you should make sure the filter, air pump, heater, light, tank, substrate, and every other necessity for your project, suits your needs and won't fail on you when you need it.
In shops, your first priority should be reliability. Make sure you trust the people working there and their methods. Not only that, but ensure that their livestock is healthy, especially if you already have fish at home. The horror stories about unquarantined fish bringing in contagious diseases are true, and they can do an absolute number on your tank. If your circumstances allow you to, you can quarantine fish and clear them for disease before you put them in your main tank. Otherwise, try to sniff out anything that seems off about the fish when you're still in the shop. If you think something's out of place or not right, do not take the risk.
I feel as though I might be preaching to the choir when I initially post this, but I hope that at least one newcomer sees this and takes something away from it.
It's been said a hundred times over, but don't take the advice a shop worker gives you word for word. More often than not, it's passed on through a long game of Chinese whispers and might not even be that reliable in the long-run. Always seek out a second opinion when possible, and then a third and a fourth and a fifth. Try things out for yourself after you get an answer you're happy with, and add to the discussion: your experiences are just as valuable as any other person's.
At general pet stores like Pets at Home, Petco, Petsmart, e.t.c., the employees are trained in a vast spread of areas. From rodents to cats and dogs to fish to birds. Most will have one specific area of expertise, but you aren't always going to be so lucky as to be assisted by that one worker who excels in fishkeeping knowledge. As a result, the information you may be given could be subpar and ultimately prove useless in the long run. Of course, there's some merit to every piece of advice you receive - even if you have to dig for the meaning and pick apart the bad bits to flip on their head - and you shouldn't completely disregard everything they say, especially if you're just starting out.
Your local fish shop isn't always your best bet either. Employees at places like Maidenhead Aquatics (UK) are generally more informed than those working at basic pet shops, but this doesn't mean the advice is always sound. Like with any other big retail brand pushing sales, workers are made to tell borderline lies in order to promote a sale. It's nothing new, and it should come as no surprise that this happens in the fishkeeping industry too. Even if a worker knows better, there will typically be someone looming over their shoulder (literally or figuratively) to ensure that they just get as much money raked in as possible.
Independent shops do tend to have some more integrity to them than branches of big corporations, but be aware of sleazy sellers who only want your money. By all means, ask for advice at shops if you need it. In fact, you're far more likely to get a sound answer from independently owned businesses than at your average telescope-eye-selling Pets at Home chain. However, if you see or hear something fishy (insert drum sting here), make sure to do your own research and ask around.
The most important thing to do is conduct your own research. Not even just with fish: you should make sure the filter, air pump, heater, light, tank, substrate, and every other necessity for your project, suits your needs and won't fail on you when you need it.
In shops, your first priority should be reliability. Make sure you trust the people working there and their methods. Not only that, but ensure that their livestock is healthy, especially if you already have fish at home. The horror stories about unquarantined fish bringing in contagious diseases are true, and they can do an absolute number on your tank. If your circumstances allow you to, you can quarantine fish and clear them for disease before you put them in your main tank. Otherwise, try to sniff out anything that seems off about the fish when you're still in the shop. If you think something's out of place or not right, do not take the risk.
I feel as though I might be preaching to the choir when I initially post this, but I hope that at least one newcomer sees this and takes something away from it.
It's been said a hundred times over, but don't take the advice a shop worker gives you word for word. More often than not, it's passed on through a long game of Chinese whispers and might not even be that reliable in the long-run. Always seek out a second opinion when possible, and then a third and a fourth and a fifth. Try things out for yourself after you get an answer you're happy with, and add to the discussion: your experiences are just as valuable as any other person's.
