any suggestions

[candied_apples_2000]

hi everyone!
i have never been in the freshwater forum before.i have recently purchased a small pet shop in my area. i have the customers asking for things that are new and exciting in the way of fish and since i get excited about saltwater and am clueless what is cool in the freshwater kingdom i need help! i have the basics in freshwater (guppies,goldfish, etc.) and i have some ciclids oscars and piranha. nobody knows what they want just that they want it. so since i would like to make them happy i would appreciate some info on what would be a good addition to the selection. i order on monday. thank you for your time.

[Biomanjcs72]

Welcome to Reefland Gina.

Your customers will pretty much dictate what you will carry in freshwater. I don't know how much you know about freshwater (I'm certainly no expert) so I may end up telling you stuff you already know.
1: Fish like Oscars, arawanas, pacu's get WAY too large for most home aquaria and will end up coming back to your store in two years in a 5 gallon bucket.
2; As far as community fish go, good additions are harlequin rasboras, rummynose tetras, glolight tetras, etc.
3: Cichlids of course, can be their entire own store, if you can get connected with a few good breeders up there and get pictures of their hybrids, wild types, etc, you can keep more cichlid people happy and not use an entire side of your store on cichlids.
Pirahna's are ilegal down here in AL, so I can't tell you much about them.

I hope I didn't tick you off and tell you a bunch of stuff you already know, so if I did I'm sorry, and if you have any questions, drop me an e-mail and let me know.

JOHN

[Freshwaterguy1313]

In Michigan where I live Oscars and Piranhas(Pacus too) are popular. I have a Piranha here and they a decent. Oscars though grow fast and just like Biomanics21(I think thats the name ) is right, they will be returning them in five years or less. I say stick with non-agressive fish and possibly along the way add Chiclids and Piranhas and etc. But thats my opinion you could do whatever you like, After all its YOUR store.


P.S. If you want, I have a Convict for sale in the Sale and Trade Zone, its a very good price and Semi-agressive fish. Check it out and tell me what you think. If you need pics of it contact me at the e-mail that is there on my thing.

[candied_apples_2000]

yes it is my shop!
i am so thrilled to have it and thats why i want to make people happy. i am going to belts in St. Louis in 2 weeks. i am getting ready for some ciclids and discus. those are cool fish. and i will work my way from there. i do have piranha. i think they are ugly, but hey, i don't have to like right? i am heading over to the for sale or trade and check it out. thanks for the replies and i will keep all posted and let you know what i get. (<---this is me, so happy)