That's what I was always told to so I stayed away but they aren't that hard as long as your willing to do two 50% water changes a week and test your water weekly you'll be fine I say try it it's well worth it they're by far my favorite fish at first they were kinda timid but now they swim right up to me if I walk up to the tank. The only other special thing I do is put granulated peet moss in my filter that's it and they are thriving I love them you should try them out