Never had them but saw them and read about them. My impression is the opposite - hardy, unfussy, undemanding - which does not deny yours, only augments it, if neither of us recalls in error. Cliff's note supports your statement, I do notice.
A disclaimer for mine would be that I was extreme newbie when I got it. I had it and a rtc in a 55 gal tank. They were both around 12". It is unfortunate as I have never seen them for sale again since when I picked up that one at a huge LFS under a Chinese diner in NC.
