This is true. And I work in a pet store. I learn new stuff every day.
Usually my day consists of repeating "a goldfish in a bowl is a really bad idea" and then trying to explain about fish size and requirements. Or why you need to do regular water changes. I wish I had a quarter for every time I say "Fish pee and poo in their water. A filter does not remove this, you have to do regular water changes." Some people really don't care, and others just want what they want, regardless of whether it makes any sense at all.
But sometimes I make sense to people. I have made people "pinky swear" to get a bigger tank when the oscar that I just tried to talk them out of outgrows the 30 gallon that they are going to put it in.
Earlier in the week a guy came in to the store and wanted to buy a pair of silver mollies. I asked him about his tank, how many gallons, what kind of fish are in there, how often does he do water changes - all the usual questions. He just kept telling me that he knew what he was doing, he had been keeping fish since he was 10.. etc, etc. As I am putting the fish in the bag (I am not allowed to refuse a sale of fish to an adult) He casually mentions that he intends to use the fish as "dummy fish." Seems that all his oscars died that day and he was going to throw the mollies in to see if they survived the night. And if they didn't, he would just bring back the bodies to get his money back as per the store's guarantee. I told him that I didn't like that idea, and that I didn't want to sell him the fish. And at the very least, knowingly putting these fish in bad conditions to "test" their survival was not a good thing. I told him that I wouldn't guarantee the fish. He threw a major tantrum and started screaming that he had been a good customer of the store longer than I have been employed there, etc. The manager backed me up.
The good thing that has come of this is that when he sees me in the aquatic department, he turns around and walks out of the store. I am sure that the fish are happy about that, too.
Takes all kinds.
