Unfiltered Story #178402

(I work at a local fish store. A guy comes in looking for some new fish for his tank.)

Me: What are you looking for?

Guy: I have a lot of chicklids [sic] and I’d like more.

Me: We have a lot of *cichlids*. I’ll show you…

Guy: Yeah, I’ve been doing chicklids [sic] for a while so I’m pretty good with them.

(Proceed to show him our selection, he starts asking about compatibility. I ask more questions and find out he has a 20gal tank with an Oscar, and Acara, a couple geos, a polypterus, and more… He swears he’s going to get a new tank soon.)

Me: I really can’t recommend anything for your tank until you get something bigger. Your tank is already pretty full, eh?

Chicklid guy: I mean, not even that one? (Pointing to a six inch geo heckelii)

Me: No, that’s *already* too big for your tank. You really need to wait until you get your new tank set up.

Chicklid guy: What about another one of those [polypterus]?

Me: No, really, your tank is very full. You *really* should just wait…

Chicklid guy: Well what if I get some smaller fish? [points at neon tetras]

Me: Your cichlids will eat them, and anyways your tank is still too full…

Chicklid guy: What about [some other fish]?

Me (trying really hard not to get frustrated): Sir, there is not a single fish in this store that I will recommend for your tank. Your tank is too small and none of the fish we have will do well in your tank. You just don’t have room for ANY more fish until you get a bigger tank set up.

Chicklid guy: …Not even [other fish]?