Freshwater

keep it afloat long enough to establish itself. These dealers sell you poor quality
fish and equipment at inexpensive prices to get some money coming in and
then simply fall off the face of the earth. If a new shop opens up and you are
unsure as to whether you should purchase fish from the new owners, simply
wait a few months to see if it stays open. During this time, keep your ear out
for information from other customers concerning the quality of the shop.
Developing a Good Relationship
with Your Fish Dealer
After you make your final decision and pledge your loyalty to a couple of
dealers, try to become acquainted with as many of the employees in the shop
as possible. Go out of your way to meet the owner or store manager, who can
likely help you with any serious problems you may have.
A great majority of dealers are very enthusiastic when given the opportunity
to work with regular customers. After the initial conversation, your aquarium,
ideas, or wishes may become as familiar to them as their own personal
tanks. Many merchants beam proudly at a customer’s first successful aquarium
setup (after all, the merchant helped create it). A caring vendor also
mourns with you at the loss of your favorite fish. A vendor who can’t remember
your name after you have been buying from their shop for months probably
should be avoided.
Making the effort required to solidify a personal relationship with your local
dealer puts you in good position to receive quality advice and the highest
degree of comprehensive service available. When a merchant is familiar with
you, the type of systems you own, your special interests, and other personal
aquarium specifications, he has a better opportunity to help you become a
successful hobbyist.
Selecting Healthy Fish
Chapter 9: Purchasing Your Fish
Now, whether you find a good dealer or not, you still need to take responsibility
for choosing the healthiest fish possible. Starting off with diseased fish is
the quickest way we know to lose interest in the hobby. You always take a
risk when you purchase a live animal because unseen problems may manifest
later on, but you can improve the odds of success by starting off with the
healthiest fish possible.
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