Sometimes I go, and I just want to look and find one I like. Then I will usually ask the clerk if they have a recommendation. It was a clerk that first turned me on to the great red ones they get at their shop. (My lps keeps most of theirs locked up, so you need a clerk to get them for you.) Then chose some that catch my eye and put them all up on the counter and chose based on guts.
But sometimes I want a specific color, like this time. I again choce the ones that I take a fancy to. After not being able to make a final choice I always take two. haha
But I am always looking for a cellophane or seethrough fins or white, but I have not seen one that caught my eye. They just don't get really nice ones of those.
My final choice will always be a boy that wiggles and dances and looks me in the eye to get my attention. Active and no chewed fins. I'm not there for a fish to save. I'm not good at that, anyway.