Before choosing a specific fish, spend a few minutes looking at the store's tanks as a whole. Clear water, minimal visible debris on the substrate, and tank labels that are current and accurate are good signs of a well-run operation. A wall of murky, algae-heavy display tanks is a signal to be more cautious with any individual fish, however healthy it looks.
Ask whether new stock is quarantined before going on the sales floor. Many well-run independent stores hold new shipments for one to two weeks before display, which meaningfully reduces the odds of bringing home a fish incubating a disease that hasn't shown symptoms yet.
A good fish store sells you confidence in the water as much as it sells you the fish swimming in it.
Watch the specific fish you're interested in for a few minutes rather than pointing and buying immediately. Active swimming, normal feeding response if food is offered, and fins held naturally (not clamped) are good signs. Avoid buying any fish from a tank where tankmates show visible spots, sores, or unusual lethargy, even if your intended fish looks fine.
Staff at a genuinely knowledgeable store should be able to tell you the fish's adult size, general temperament, and basic water parameter needs without hesitation. Vague or contradictory answers on these basics are a reasonable reason to hold off on that purchase.
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