I feel for all you newbies out there as I know there is a lot of mis(sed)information and wrong info out there and all it does is cost you guys a lot of money in the end. But there IS hope.....
Let me start by saying that I know this is a biased remark based soley on my experiences and background. However, it has been proven correct more often than not so if I ruffle a few feathers, I suggest you (with the ruffled feathers) dig a little deeper as to why it does
I spent many years of my 40+ year tropical fish career working in multiple "Mom & Pop" pet stores so when given a choice today, I choose to purchase in a "Mom & Pop" shop over a BIG CHAIN store any day of the week. You see, most, if not all, of the big chains don't make their money by selling fish. They make it on the supplies. They do what thay have to keep the fish alive (most of the time) but it is usually the bare minimum and the quality of the fish show's it. Conversely, Mom & Pops need to sell higher quality fish because they depend on you (the consumer) to return to their store over and over again. Why would you come back if their fish die as easy as the chain's fish for less $$? They also usually carry a bigger selection of fish as well. They usually don't have internet sales for their merchandise so again, they depend on you for their livelyhoods. The employees in a Mom & Pop also have a bit more experience than those in the big chain stores. They have to because the store's reputation depends on them. Employees can make or break a pet store. They have to know how to care for many different types of fish so chances are, if you have a question, they either have the answer or have the ability to get the right answer. You would be amazed at the things I've heard chain store employees say to their customers. Most just are barely qualified to be doing the job let alone giving advice. (It's a pet peeve of mine.
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Now, before you say " But their fish or supplies are more expensive!", consider this, How many fish will you have to replace from a chain store compared to a Mom & Pop store? Yes, their fish might be a little more expensive but it takes a bit more to keep a better quality fish. You'll find this to be true as you go further in your fish keeping. We used to have a saying that went " A filter is a filter but a fish is not a fish." What was meant was that a Penguin 123 filter, for example, is the same no matter where you get it but a fish is not the same everywhere you see them. Having said that tho, it behooves you to support your Mom & Pop shop by buying their filters and gravel and supplies as well. The extra money you spend for these will be rewarded in time as I know most M & P shops reward their customers for loyalty. Sometimes it's an extra fish or a complimentary discount or even better, staying open late when they know you need something at the last minute to save your tank. The advice they give can be priceless. (Obviously this depends on the store and their reputation.) They appreciate your loyalty and show it where it counts. I haven't seen much of this at the big chain stores (at least not when I needed something in a hurry and they were my closest choice.)
But don't just take my word for it, check it out for yourself. Ask a basic question (one that you know the answer to), make it the same question, to your local M&P shop, local big chain shop fish employee and your local or online aquarium society. You might be surprised to hear the answers. I know I asked a chain store's employee how long they had been keeping fish because I had overheard her bad answer to a customer and she said " This is my first week on the floor but I haven't finished reading the manual yet." This just confirmed what I already knew because noone with experience in fish keeping would have given her answer to the customer. That's what you are dealing with.
As I said, I know I am biased but I want fish that live so I can enjoy them for a longer time. I was lucky to have been trained by a certified ichthyologist but he told me, in the beginning, to read, read, read before I tried something new. I suggest you all do the same. There are many books out there by qualified people in the field. Don't just rely on an internet site to be your guide. Learn from the people that are keeping the same fish you want to keep.
Good luck to you all and I hope I just saved you a few $$$$
Then he was getting what I Now know as ammonia burns 
and once i googled it 
Since then I have found a locally owned store specific to fish and reptiles and they know so much.... I love them (and these smilies too
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