Dam!

[cleekdaFish]

howcome everytime I buy a fish and ask for a f and m but the employees cant tell the difference!

 

[Griz]

It depends on the fish. Some can be difficult to sex accurately, even for experts. For those that can be, your best bet is to research and have an idea what the differences are. That way you can either pick the fish yourself (if neccessary)or if you find a knowlegable salesperson you will have an opportunity to discuss it with them and learn even more. I think that good salespeople find it refreshing when someone shows up that has taken the time to educate themselves about the fish they purchase. I've learned some things from the good salespeople and have even ended up with a few "extra" fish thrown in (more than once) when I got home after having a good conversation with them.

 

[TammyLiz]

I've taken the advice of a salesperson about how to sex a gourami and when I got them home and checked online to see how it is done, realized she was wrong. Because they were all lacking much color in the store (from stress likely), she told me they were all females. I wouldn't trust an LFS employee on something like that. Do your research before you go to the store, and tell the employee exactly which ones you want.

 

[DarkEntity]

howcome everytime I buy a fish and ask for a f and m but the employees cant tell the difference!

Well, you could actually take steps yourself to do some research prior to going for your fish, so you actually know what you are looking for aswell.

 

[Loko17]

howcome everytime I buy a fish and ask for a f and m but the employees cant tell the difference!

Well, you could actually take steps yourself to do some research prior to going for your fish, so you actually know what you are looking for aswell.

I second that motion. All in favor...Aye

 

[andyt_uk]

i'd echo all the above
learn to sex them yourself so you at least have an idea
find another store
find the best staff to deal with in the store - might take time, but its worth figuring out who knows most, and i think is true if you can talk knowledgably to the staff they will realise you know your stuff and respect you for it that way you'l end up with better service

 

[Griz]

I just wanted to add one thing. Very few people can be knowlegable about every kind of fish that's out there. I've met some people who work in a fish shop who I know full well are extremely good but know absolutely nothing about, say, apistogramma. And they will freely admit it. Everyone here has their specialties and so do they. Just because someone doesn't seem to know about a particular species of fish, doesn't mean they aren't an expert on something else. The difference is that the good ones aren't afraid to say so.

What's worse? Selling something that you don't know much about, or buying it and taking it home?