I have been out of the hobby for around 10 years, and stopped in Aquarium Arts today, as I had some business nearby. It looks a lot different than 10 years ago, and everything seemed great. I did have to mention TWICE, however, while I was there, that there were casualties in their sale tanks. One lawnmower being eaten by a shrimp, and a larger fish (didn't linger, I thought they might blame me if I keep finding them, lol) in one of the tiny tanks by the flame angel row. It was the middle of the day and the place did seem to have lunch customers from nearby, so I didn't get a lot of attention, which is what I wanted. I was only in to get salt, but love looking, as I haven't decided where I'm going to go with my tiny bio-load once I'm cycled. I haven't seen a spotted sweetlips before, and wasn't really sure what I was seeing in this tank of 20 fish.... Cool fish! I asked how big they get, and was answered, well... that's about it. (2"). So I can keep maybe 1 in a 50 gallon? Yes, of course, it's a peaceful fish but might eat your corals. I don't have any, so great. My tank will be ready next summer, hope you still stock them. Sure, they're really popular, a mix of a clown and a mandarin in their looks. They do need live food.
Holy crap. I get home and of course look up this fish. 500 gallon minimum. From liveaquaria.com:
"A 500 gallon or larger aquarium is required due to its size and eating habits. It grows at a rapid pace to almost three feet in length. It needs a larger tank to provide it with ample swimming room and plenty of hiding places. If placed in a reef aquarium, the Spotted Sweetlips will eat smaller crustaceans, smaller fireworms, serpent stars, small snails, and polychaete worms."
I'm sure there are great people working there, and they know a lot about what they are doing, but WOW!!!!!! That's as bad as MY dumb *** buying a Green Mandarin back in 1996 from Petsmart thinking they would eat frozen brine. I'm glad I'm doing it right this time. I am researching EVERYTHING I can now, and know I won't even have water in my tank until January.