Why can't I keep fish alive...

[kwirky]

I'd recommend seeing if the LFS will allow you to place a deposit on the fish, then let them stay at the store for a week before you bring them home for quarantine. Sometimes the brand new arivals at the LFS are experiencing lots of trauma from shipping and need a bit of extra time to recover before they're shipped a second time to a tank at your house.

Plus, it's better for it to die a day later at the LFS, than a tank at your house. Takes yourself out of the equation in it's death, and saves you money. Most places will let you re-apply the deposit to another fish.