Snails seem to me the best cleaner options for my tank and it's a shame it's not big enough for some pleco species. No fish is going to clean up so i don't have to do anything, so reducing algae and build up on glass will do.
This is how most of end up getting a bad case of MTS... Multiple Tank Syndrome. It's a severe affliction once you dive deep into the hobby, and you realise you really like a certain kind of fish, but it won't work with your tank or stock, so you start thinking about upgrading, or where you might be able to put another tank...
I read reviews about the store that my guppy originally came from and it appears many fish they sell are sick or stressed. Apparently they get sold on the day of delivery, which surely has psychological effect due to constant travel and tank changes between breeder/seller/buyer in a short time. They also keep fish mixed and people have cited fish attack each other in their tanks on display.
Ouch, yeah, that's not a good store! It's very stressful for fish to be caught, shipped, placed in new tanks likely in different water parameters in the store, and most places will hold them for at least a few days to give them time to settle, adjust, eat, before selling, since even if they move to the perfect home, it's still more catching, transporting and stress to adjust to a new environment. It's good to be aware of that so you can try to minimise stress, and to avoid a store like that one!
Have a search and see what privately owned local fish stores are near you, rather than the big chains stores, and check them out. Some are great, some are terrible... having a good look at their tanks and fish, and seeing what sort of advice they give will usually give you an idea of how good they are. Sadly, there aren't many privately owned local fish stores anymore since most people buy from chains, amazon and supermarkets. I have a really good one near me, so I try to support them since I know they quarantine their fish, have a great store and give really good advice, even if it costs them a sale. But sadly there are ones like the one you described too.
Getting involved in local fish clubs and being in contact with nearby hobbyists is definitely a great way to get healthy fish and to learn from people who have been in the hobby for a long time.
In future i plan to buy from trusted breeders and cut out middle men, particularly as i was given misleading advice from my pet store when i purchased my tank. Hopefully i've found some good people locally who take good care.
I'm really sorry that that was your intro to the hobby! Sadly it's all too common, and it often winds up with people having completely unsuitable fish in the wrong tank, fish dying, and the person leaving the hobby
You're doing the right thing in researching from multiple sources and knowing not to trust fish store advice until they've proven themselves trustworthy! And patience is definitely an essential part of the hobby, for sure.
Essay linked Seriously Fish earlier in the thread, it really is the most trustworthy source I know of to check the requirements for most species. Written by scientists and authorities in their fields.
Can also recommend Wet Web Media as a reliable source - and here, of course!
Not that all of us have good advice - a lot of us are just hobbyists here to learn and chat, and try to help where we can, some people give bad advice, but there are also some super knowledgeable people here who give fantastic advice and really take time out to help those of us who are newer, have a successful tank. Plus it's just nice to have people here to talk to who understand our hobby.
