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Were talking Damsels 1.49, Emperor angel $49.99, French Angel $29.99, Majestic angel $39.99 and more. You need to go back another 10-12 years as none of these prices are comparable. And being in retail Pet, Ive seen price increase alone on the wholesale level by 500-700%
Hi - not to be argumentative but you are wholly ignoring inflation and scarcity.
The point is that in general hard goods in this hobby have not really increased in relative retail price over the last 3-4 decades. Livestock has held price fairly well also with the exception of items that are affected by strict import/export or scarcity due to demand.
So most common blennies, damsels, gobies, basslets, wrasses, etc, have all remained pretty much direclty in line with inflation. The fishes that are part of bans are far more expensive. Likewise fishes that are close alternatives are in higher demand and therefore more expensive.
We can find examples that don't fit the trend, but that is not the point. In fact, given the explosion in direct regulation in the industry and indirect regulation on just about everything surrounding the industry... it is amazing that prices are as low as they are...
That brings us to coral. Yes, it is more expensive. Part of it due to the above reasoning, but most because of the name gamer and the people who drool after the names. The irony in that is those most invested in named corals are the ones complaining and at the same time driving the prices higher by demanding designer names corals.
Anyway - enjoy the afternoon!