The Money Pit: How much are you willing to spend on livestock?

[ErikVR]

I’m not helping to keep the scandalous prices of these so called rare corals up. It’s a bit like the tulip craze of the 17th century. People paying thousands euros for a small frag should be ashamed for rewarding the sellers.

 

[BryanM]

I voted 250-500, because that's certainly real.

But I'm more in the camp of <100. It has to be special, and I've got to learn a lot more, before I spend $500 on something.

I'm really hoping I can get "in" with locals in the bay area, and make some friends along the way

 

[Gumbies R Us]

This is my most expensive purchase so far on a single piece of livestock. 120.

It looks like it is doing well though!

 

[Singspot]

Hmmm

Vendors viewing this poll should note the really small addressable market for high priced livestock.

Just sayin’

If we see the postings ... seems like costlier pieces sell more and faster that posts selling same stuff/ larger colonies cheaper.

Consumer poll and hobbyist behavior are not aligned

(I am not a vendor)

 

[GlassMunky]

Yeah, my wife and I have 2 different beliefs here. I'll go 250 to 500. She wants 100 to 150. As she is not in the community, I have a feeling I'll have some explaining to do. And a fair amount of begging.

It’s easier to ask for forgiveness than permission. Just saying

 

[GlassMunky]

For corals, at this point I’m in the 100-250 camp realistically, unless it’s something SUPER NICE that I just HAVE to have (and not INSANLY priced) , but those are rare. We do have a real nice acantho that was more than that but we got it YEARS ago, now it would easily be over $1000 (and we wouldn’t buy it).

These days, I’d much rather trade reefers coral for coral as I’ve found that’s the best way to get deals and nice stuff at the same time.

For fish, I’m in the 250-500 camp as I think they generally deserve the higher everyday prices vs corals, especially when getting them already QT&Conditioned (which we always do now, I’m done getting sick fish that kill others)
Our Bellus Pair was like $400 and one of the crazy wrasses was like $300 itself

 

[BZOFIQ]

Looking at the survey - why would the vendors not jack the prices?

 

[Bob Weigant]

Personally I’m more in line with $100-$250 range. I try to remember that this hobby is for me to enjoy.

 

[tbaum101]

I'm over 8 years in and still haven't figured that out lol. I do have a growing list of things I haven't been able to keep.

So say we all...lol

 

[TheStrangler]

$250 range for me as well, 99% of my purchases are much less than that but if my favorite fish with a potential 20 year lifespan comes along for $400 I'm not going to go, oh but my max is...

As far as coral purchases, at this point I like getting most of my livestock from the selling forum here. The health tends to be better, the pictures less photoshopped, and the prices more realistic. In addition, supporting aquaculture and rewarding enthusiasts for good reefkeeping isn't bad. A lot of hobbyists buy what they like and then when it grows to more than they want or need, they pass on to the rest of us. They get a new bucket of salt, I get a healthy coral for 1/2 of what vendors are selling the same piece for.

 

[Solo McReefer]

I paid $165 for a $12 yellow tang

That's about as far as I go, for now

What gets me are the prices on scolys. They look like colored sugar cookies to me. I do not get that coral

 

[BryanM]

I'm guessing over time my view will change, since I'm still very new to this hobby. When i'm confident about my tank, routine, etc, I suspect if something really catches my eye I will spend more for it.... but my wife and I are trying to keep livestock purchases at $100 or less, and for two fish we've already failed on that

 

[MONTANTK]

Up to $500 would be my limit for something cool. Most I’ve spent on a single coral was probably around $200-250. I think I spent $300 on a fish or two.


I think I would consider going to $1500 but it would have to be something very special and my tank would have to be very stable

 

[SomeHappyFish]

I would spend 300$ on gear, maybe a fish. Coral ? Nah

 

[crazyfishmom]

My most expensive coral is a ridiculously expensive scoly ($545 after a $35% discount). I freaking love that thing.

Would I do it again? Honestly? Not sure.

I have a a stunning $10 toadstool that would now be $200 since it’s grown so much and has become a show piece and I reading love that one too.

 

[tbaum101]

My most expensive coral is a ridiculously expensive scoly ($545 after a $35% discount). I freaking love that thing.

Would I do it again? Honestly? Not sure.

I have a a stunning $10 toadstool that would now be $200 since it’s grown so much and has become a show piece and I reading love that one too.

Amazing how fast those things grow and how quickly the get more expensive. 4 or 5 months growth and they're 10 times the size.

 

[VintageReefer]

My most expensive coral is a ridiculously expensive scoly ($545 after a $35% discount). I freaking love that thing.

 

[alindell]

Honestly $200 to $300 but that's a stretch. I low-ball the crap out of people. One of the only ways to make this hobby affordable unfortunately. I don't want to spend $1000 for a little piece. I also sell coral for cheap too so it kinda evens out.

 

[crazyfishmom]

She sits in a place in my tank that’s hard to photograph. The gradations in color are beautiful and hard to capture on camera.

 

[Chrisv.]

I am absolutely not going to put this in writing.