I WAS not only shocked but amazed at reading about Mark Southwell being refused guppies at Pets At Home.

Not only because their sales assistants seem to imagine they know much better than anyone else, even with decades experience, but their own very wrong advice.

A tank needs to be ‘cycled’ for weeks if it is new, not three days. Bacteria does not build up in the filter in three days and fish will likely become stressed and even die when ammonia levels rise.

Mr Southwell, instead of going to a supermarket which happens to sell animals, please go to a specialist aquatic seller. I can highly recommend Walsoken Aquatics and Alvenor Aquatics where you’d buy very well bred healthier fish with no diseases, you’d be treated with courtesy and the fish would be cheaper.

Pets At Home also refused to sell me a gerbil on the basis that I was going to give it paper and cardboard to chew instead of the ‘special’ cardboard sold in the shop which was ‘safe’

If you want better quality, more choice, expert advice and cheaper prices, go to specialists.

PAM THOMPSON (animal advice line)

Broad Drove East

Tydd St Giles