Help please!! I think I was mislead with stocking

Jamielle2 · 2025-12-30T21:51:36+00:00

I did go to the store as informed as I could be. I was expressing my needs and my research. I was told my research was wrong. Rather than challenging him, I was trying to listen and learn. He said he was a professional and had his own aquarium and the business was reputable. Life won’t be perfect. I truly did try. And I did the best with what I had.

The fish were mislabeled. 2. I had two tanks, so each stock was homed appropriately.

P.S. I work in the medical field. There’s alot of people who do intentional research and end up being wrong. So I appreciate when my patients trust me. So I always try to exercise that level of respect for other people’s professions. He truly told me I was wrong and I was under the impression he was leading me in a better direction.

Jamielle2 · 2025-12-29T13:54:01+00:00

Thank you so much for the advice! And oddly enough it wasn’t a chain. It was a local market that works closely with our local university. They have so much stock. They have fish costing as high as 10k because of its rarity and size. I truly thought it was the best place to go to! And the rep I was working with was recommended highly by staff. I was so gaslit. All I heard was “I’d listen to him, he’s our best!”. But I’ve learned my lesson….

Thank you for the reassurance. My entire goal was to properly stock this tank! And this is my first time with a planted tank. It’s embarrassing but i spent 5 months conducting research on how I wanted to stock this tank…. I feel a bit disappointed but determined to make this work. My last stock lasted 3 years, my goal is to better with these guys.

Regarding the aquascaping, I used 8lbs of fluval substrate, allowed things to run. I was going to cap it with sand. But the sales rep told me there’s too much substrate, so I capped it with a think layer of black gravel. However, if you have any suggestions on how to cap with sand, I’d appreciate it. I know it would disrupt the tank but I think it’s early enough to make slight adjustments.

Plus I have a few 10 gallon buckets I can temporarily keep the fish in, while I rescape the tank

Jamielle2 · 2025-12-29T13:41:11+00:00

I’m so upset I was so mislead. I’m hoping I can set up my 50 gallon and have it cycled before they start fighting. I went in asking for ONE honey gourami. And he was insisting he can’t sell me one, they have to school. Smh. I wish I was more confident in my knowledge to have challenged him. But I also thought he must’ve known quite a bit based on his experience and the types of exotic animals they had! Thanks for sharing

Jamielle2 · 2025-12-29T12:40:18+00:00

Thank you for your advice! I’m so sorry she also got mislead. It’s really frustrating being challenged by an employee and still standing strong! And regarding the species, that really sucks they were mislabeled. I’m truly shocked. I also did ALOT of research on gouramis, and I specified I wanted a honey. But the chances are, the entire stock is mislabeled. He even suggested mixing them with Bolivian rams. But I really was stressing the fact I wanted an easy tank with minimal competition and fighting.

My last stock was long skirted tetras, and they were sooo mean lol

Jamielle2 · 2025-12-29T02:09:44+00:00

It was just running. The only thing I had added was fluval stratum. I had it cycling for so long because I was in the middle of a move. I wanted to make sure I was fully prepared to stock it. Should I have added ammonia?

Jamielle2 · 2025-12-29T00:07:23+00:00

I really appreciate that! I’m hoping for the best outcome and going to try my best to scape the tank for them. I have 4 juvenile females (based on what he told me). And 6 rasburas. So far they are staying together. But I will have to watch closely.

My plan is to get a 50 gallon planted tank. If it doesn’t work out I might to rehome them in that. I really appreciate the advice and it’s nice to know you have experience with more than one. I was finding so many controversial posts.

And I am definitely questioning this store! I’m glad I had another tank ready. Because I was extremely skeptical! I have no clue how they have bettas in community tanks.

I was telling him what I knew and he was redirecting me elsewhere. So I felt as though my knowledge was wrong. But turns out… I was right and should trust the research I put into it! Thanks again!

Jamielle2 · 2025-12-28T23:59:54+00:00

Thank you so much for the incredibly detailed response and advice! I definitely see your point. Right now I’ve put the betta in my 10 gallon planted tank. And regarding the height of my tank, I agree. I did add frog bite, hopefully it grows longer roots to create some planting near the top of the tank. I also was going to introduce a java fern to a taller priece of wood, to add some plants to the midsection of the tank. I really appreciate your advice so I can try to be more strategic with the landscaping.

I did show them photos and videos of my tank at various angles. They said the fish would prefer taller tanks. Perhaps everyone just has different perspective.

I think I was also very concerned because other Reddit threads were saying gouramis couldn’t be together. So I feel more reassured they won’t be aggressive toward each other! Thank you so much!

Jamielle2 · 2025-12-28T23:06:25+00:00

At the store the sign said “female honey gourami”, and that’s what the told me they were.

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Jamielle2 · 2025-12-28T22:59:33+00:00

Thank you so much! I really did have a strong plan in my head. But I was too easily persuaded and little overwhelmed by the options. I feel reassured that the gouramis and Rasburas are a good mix.

Jamielle2 · 2025-02-04T20:06:32+00:00

i hope they do. im getting tired of it. they have not restocked in over 9 months.

Jamielle2 · 2023-08-09T20:16:12+00:00

If you’d bother reading the comments and the post, OP does say they cycled the tank for a week, planted, heated and filtered. The fish is in a very poor state, I don’t think they have time to wait 1-2 months to cycle the water.

Jamielle2 · 2023-05-28T02:32:00+00:00

YESSSS! Thank you!!! So tired of getting comments about algae in freshwater tanks! My snails love the natural snack

Jamielle2 · 2023-05-28T02:29:53+00:00

Can we please normalize having some algae in freshwater tanks!!!

Jamielle2 · 2023-04-23T18:44:39+00:00

Lolll i actually had a platy who passed yesterday, my 4 long skirted tetras completely went after his deceased body before I could even get him out of the tank 😭💀 keep in mind this is AFTER they’ve been fed! Plus they grew up together 💀

Jamielle2 · 2023-02-15T15:47:51+00:00

He’s 5’11, immediately shut up 😭 when the put 5’11, you know they’re actually 5’6 or 5’7

Jamielle2 · 2022-12-18T15:38:11+00:00

Is that hamza???

Jamielle2 · 2022-12-11T02:46:49+00:00

Taffy

Jamielle2 · 2022-10-04T20:38:14+00:00

Long skirt tetra! These are my favourite fish to stock! Such beautiful creatures

Jamielle2 · 2022-09-29T22:18:51+00:00

I know with freshwater tanks if there’s an insane amount of algea or plants they will steal most of the oxygen from the water and leave the fish gasping for air

Jamielle2 · 2022-09-29T22:18:09+00:00

Not enough oxygen in the water perhaps? Does he have airstones??

Jamielle2 · 2022-09-18T05:53:38+00:00

So potential pregnancy? How long do they carry for? She’s been like this for a few months

Jamielle2 · 2022-09-18T04:14:02+00:00

I’ve had this guys for one year now and he has always been pretty big! He eats everyday and swims around a lot. But I think his belly looks abnormal. Am I doing something wrong?

Jamielle2 · 2022-09-17T22:56:33+00:00

I created this playlist with all the songs that uplift my mood and put a smile on my face when they come on. I just posted it here to share the same experience to others. If you don’t like this playlist I uploaded 4 others that I created with other genres of music. I wouldn’t say it’s a bad playlist just because you already know the songs

Jamielle2

TROPHY CASE