Customer Problem Solving

Customers expect that the fish and invertebrates they purchase from your store will be healthy and long lived. You can help avoid potential problems and position yourself and your store as good sources of expert advice by:

• Verifying tank water chemistry and equipment will meet fishes’ needs.
• Asking about species stocked in the customer’s home aquarium, tank size and number of inhabitants to prevent compatibility issues and/or overcrowding.
• Providing care sheets and recommending resource books for new purchases.

Regardless of the steps you take to help customers care for their fish, most home hobbyists will experience fish loss or other problems. This section will help you troubleshoot and solve the most common issues.

Whenever water quality problems may be an issue, ask customers to bring a sample from the tank to the store for testing (about two cups or 16 ounces). Note that in some cases there may be no obvious reason for fish or invertebrate loss.

for guidance in solving common customer problems with saltwater fish.