LFS told me not to buy this fish.

[rworegon]

I was at my LFS last night just checking things out and talking to the saltwater manager, we've become friends over time and we were talking about the new fish he got in. He told me that if I ever got a chance, DO NOT BUY one of these, and pointed to a Rose Blenny. He said its the meanest fish he's ever seen. He had it in with tangs, triggers, rabbitfish, and they all ended up with bite marks from the blenny.

Has anyone else had a LFS tell them not to buy something? I'm not talking about being told your tank is not big enough, or not mature enough for a certain fish but rather don't buy this fish because it's a mean SOB.

 

[JMSKI333]

I am also good friends with my LFS owner and he tells me all the time not to buy certain fish. He'll point out that a fish isn't looking healthy or they are "ich Magnets". I think advice like that shows a great LFS owner.

A couple examples:

Copperband butterfly - He says "You can try it, but it won't make it. They are tough"
Snowflake Eel - he says "you don't want one of those"

I believe some stores get fish in packages. In order to get fish they want, they need to also get fish that they don't wan't. That is why our stores are selling fish that they wouldn't reccomend to someone. It is a technique used by wholesellers to move fish out of their facility.

 

[roadrashpaul]

Never had that happen but I can tell you that my lawnmower is a jerk. Bites me and chases other fish when I feed them.

 

[diamondreef]

Many of the employees at stores know alot about what fish are compatible with others and if you want a fish known to be agressive towards something else you have... they are actually very good for not selling you something that will cause issies just to make the money off of it...
When I worked at a store I would tell them about it and tell them the risks if any and then its up to them if they want to risk it...

 

[rworegon]

Never had that happen but I can tell you that my lawnmower is a jerk. Bites me and chases other fish when I feed them.

Thats funny, my lawnmower is a character, get along with everybody but if I spend too much time moving things in the tank he will occasionally bite my knuckle as if to say, "That enough."

 

[Pulldeez]

I have a bicolor blenny and as soon as I walk up to the tank he runs and hides! My lfs will often remind me of the temperament of certain fish and corals and will just notify me on how it could turn out

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Good to have people in that type of position to be honest and tell you like it is.

 

[FLipp]

my bi color blenny would eat off my hand and occasionally peck my arm when moving coral around. great personality!

 

[casey187]

My LFS talks me out of things all the time. I try to buy an elegance coral and achiles every time they get in a nice one and the owner reminds me every time that the elegance is not very hardy and that the achiles is an ich magnet. I am still going to get an achilies though. I can't resist. I've also seen him push how awesome things are to other people after he just told me to stay away from it. It is good to build a relationship with your LFS.

 

[Carmen]

At the Petco here the employee discouraged me from getting a dottyback that I was admiring. I have a peaceful tank and had told him that. He said they "are MEAN!"

 

[Mercurio]

Thats funny, my lawnmower is a character, get along with everybody but if I spend too much time moving things in the tank he will occasionally bite my knuckle as if to say, "That enough."

My lawnmower does the exact same thing. He sits on the rocks and I swear he waits until I'm not paying him much attention to come up and nip my arm. He scares the crap out of me sometimes when I'm not expecting it.

 

[Steveowhits]

Sometimes tank bred fish are the answer to aggression, sometimes it doesn't matter where they come from...I have received the most bites from Maroon Clownfish. They can be mean, mean little fish, and mine was a tank bred ORA goldflake.

I have also seen in my aquarium supposed "nice species" like larger reef basslets try and beat up on smaller fish. I've had a problem six line wrasse once upon a time....I think in the end it is a case by case basis. One thing I have noticed is that if you start with a bigger fish you are most likely to have an attitude problem. If you go for a smaller fish in my experience they are less likely to be aggressive. Tank size and many other things also play a part.

 

[PaulKreider]

Never had them warn me other than jumper risk ect. My lawnmower blenny is mean, bites me whenever I stick my hand in now!

 

[FLipp]

that's a honest LFS!
but i have been told that those guys are aggressive.

 

[landshark777]

My fishstore owner sold me a Singapore Angel for 37 bucks.Didnt tell me that theyre very difficult to keep.....so far its still alive. Guess they just wanted to make some cash....Ill try my best to keep it alive.

 

[MrDJeep123]

It would be nice if our only LFS did this.

 

[turbo21]

My fishstore owner sold me a Singapore Angel for 37 bucks.Didnt tell me that theyre very difficult to keep.....so far its still alive. Guess they just wanted to make some cash....Ill try my best to keep it alive.

I had a Singapore angel in my reef and after a month he started eating all my zoas!!!