I agree with what is said above. Your stock needs to have a majority of what your local competition has at an equally competitive price and also have fish that the stores won't be getting anytime soon.
Having a few display tank examples (discus planted tank with various other fish) or (large tank with a full grown managuense or umbee) will certainly intrigue people into the Cichlid hobby.
WARNING: Cichlids will initially not make your profit. Goldfish, Neon Tetra, Dwarf Gourami's are just a few fish that a lot of 'common fish keepers' desire. Essentially, most customers do not want large aquariums with heaters, heavy filtration, rules and obligations about frequent water changes etc... Therefore, it is important to allow customers to make their own decisions (even the bad ones). At the end of the day, you are the seller of live fresh and (or) saltwater fish. Customers will always have uneducated preferences and although they may be making a bad decision, it's your profit to sell these fish and not restrict them. If profit is not what you need, then by all means do what is best for your own goals/interests, but I know that a lot of LFS who restrict the uneducated customers from their wants tend to suffer financially. These stores may get a few respected trusty reviews from the solid local hobbyist, but those who are not allowed their goldfish in a small unfiltered fishbowl will simply take their business elsewhere and write you a bad review. I would think that at least 30-50% of the general public who enter a fish store for the first time will think that it is practical to do so regardless of what you tell them. So I suppose what i'm trying to say overall is that although offering fish caring guidance is key, if they don't want to listen and learn the hard way, I personally think the only way to make real profit in this business is to allow them to make their own decisions. Believe me, makes me sick saying it, but I think this helps most LFS make all around sales.
Having a few display tank examples (discus planted tank with various other fish) or (large tank with a full grown managuense or umbee) will certainly intrigue people into the Cichlid hobby.
WARNING: Cichlids will initially not make your profit. Goldfish, Neon Tetra, Dwarf Gourami's are just a few fish that a lot of 'common fish keepers' desire. Essentially, most customers do not want large aquariums with heaters, heavy filtration, rules and obligations about frequent water changes etc... Therefore, it is important to allow customers to make their own decisions (even the bad ones). At the end of the day, you are the seller of live fresh and (or) saltwater fish. Customers will always have uneducated preferences and although they may be making a bad decision, it's your profit to sell these fish and not restrict them. If profit is not what you need, then by all means do what is best for your own goals/interests, but I know that a lot of LFS who restrict the uneducated customers from their wants tend to suffer financially. These stores may get a few respected trusty reviews from the solid local hobbyist, but those who are not allowed their goldfish in a small unfiltered fishbowl will simply take their business elsewhere and write you a bad review. I would think that at least 30-50% of the general public who enter a fish store for the first time will think that it is practical to do so regardless of what you tell them. So I suppose what i'm trying to say overall is that although offering fish caring guidance is key, if they don't want to listen and learn the hard way, I personally think the only way to make real profit in this business is to allow them to make their own decisions. Believe me, makes me sick saying it, but I think this helps most LFS make all around sales.
