What do you look for???

**XnSdVd** · 21st Dec 2005, 14:11

Well an alternative would be to have a list of scientific names on a wall or something. so people like us could come in, look and then ask the owner. I'm sure he'd be able to spot "spies" if they came in regularly...

**bossteck** · 21st Dec 2005, 14:57

Yar i guess so.

For the more common/established species, should be no problem.

Sometimes, the retailers themselves also don't know the scientific names of their imports.

Distributors wants to keep them confidential so that likelihood of successful breeding by LFS owners will be lesser, then can continue to have business.

Sigh.... If only everyone (including the business owners) could just enjoy the hobby as it is... keeping and enjoying the beauty of fishes.

**Justikanz** · 21st Dec 2005, 15:18

Protectionism is common and is what the WTO talks are about now...

**avant** · 21st Dec 2005, 17:02

hmm... i guess my suggestion on the care-sheet brings up some discussion ha..

i didn't know that ther is a concern on divulging too much information to "spies" but i guess it's unfortunate for hobbyists but we can't force them out of business either.. though having the so-called rare fish easily available to us is a good thing, it will not be a good thing for the lfs owners in the business sense when the specialty fish they have are no longer novel..

i guess, at the end of the day, it'll be good to have knowledgeable staff who is willing to assist you by verbally telling you the needs of the fish that you are interested.. and probably they won't think that you are a potential "spy" for other lfs haa..

on a side note, Ben has three new assistants when i went to his shop recently. he's now quite free with the extra help haa.. there's this young lady who is quite knowledgeable about the different fish

**Justikanz** · 21st Dec 2005, 17:14

Oh yes... Forgotten... It would be VERY good if the sales people know:

1) What fish WILL grow big and eat others. Some of them will say, 'Oh, Oscars are cute and can be kept with your tetras.', 'Red-tailed Cat? Orr, no lah, won't grow big lah.'

2) What fish WILL eat plants. 'Oh, silver dollars? Good for planted tanks.'

3) What fish do best in a mininum group of 6. 'Why not you get 2 neon tetras, 1 tiger barb and 1 zebra danio for the colour and variety?'

4) What fish will nip the fins of what, or what fish cannot be kept with what. 'Tiger barbs with your fighting fish ah? Can lah.'

5) That dyed fish is not natural. 'Buy this, more colourful. The blue one is rare.'

If I have a shop, I would refuse to sell anyone buying less than 6 of the schooling fish, issue warning for large fish or biggish fish, dun sell jumbo and dyed fish in the first place and probably run a series of classes on fishkeeping for those interested at night in the shop...

But nah, I know it is hard and almost impossible to do...

But that is my hope for the LFSs...

**valice** · 21st Dec 2005, 17:57

Originally Posted by avant

on a side note, Ben has three new assistants when i went to his shop recently. he's now quite free with the extra help haa.. there's this young lady who is quite knowledgeable about the different fish

think it is important for those working in the LFS to keep fishes themselves too. like for the 3 assistant, they are all avid hobbyist. one of the guys is crazy about plecos, the girl is into planted herself and the other guy is quite knowledgeable in the different fishes in the shop.

and working in lfs has its perks... u get the fish the earliest once it arrives into the shop...

**avant** · 21st Dec 2005, 18:13

Originally Posted by valice

think it is important for those working in the LFS to keep fishes themselves too. like for the 3 assistant, they are all avid hobbyist. one of the guys is crazy about plecos, the girl is into planted herself and the other guy is quite knowledgeable in the different fishes in the shop.

and working in lfs has its perks... u get the fish the earliest once it arrives into the shop...

ah...so you know the 3 of them personally? they are working for fun or on a long term basis? yah..it's good to have hobbyists.. added knowledge helps..

**XnSdVd** · 21st Dec 2005, 22:52

Definatly. And you'll never have to worry about your helpers trying to sell people "fish from badis island"

**valice** · 22nd Dec 2005, 01:03

Originally Posted by avant

ah...so you know the 3 of them personally? they are working for fun or on a long term basis? yah..it's good to have hobbyists.. added knowledge helps..

only talked to them when i am there to look at fishes or buy tub worms. they are very much part time there. coming in on different days. but not sure if they are there on a long term basis. was nice talking to them.

**Cacatuoides** · 22nd Dec 2005, 20:59

Wow....that's cool! Hard to find hobbyist who want to work in a LFS even for fun..... Agree that they have perks working in LFS like getting to choose fishes before customers and such. Your comments are very appreciated....

Hey benny! You're quite right. I'm actually having intentions to open a LFS for mainly few reasons....for the love of fish keeping and to share the joy & ease of fish keeping to the public...want to make sure people who buy the fishes gets the appropriate education too!! so kind of doing a small survey with you experts here!!

hehe

**Justikanz** · 22nd Dec 2005, 22:02

Hey, that's what I want to do sometime in the future too!

Good luck to you in fulfilling your dream!

**XnSdVd** · 22nd Dec 2005, 23:42

I'm a hobbyist
I wanna work at an LFS for fun...

Thread: What do you look for???

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