What's the most expensive fish you've ever bought?

[BasementBox]

Oh, that's cool! Do you have a picture?

Uhhhh. No. Just looked. It was gorgeous. It just was outcompeted for food unfortunately. Once the tangs came it just was too slow.

 

[Johnd651]

The first fish. Even my $5 Betta ended up costing $150+ with tank and accessories.

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

Helfirich firefish. $140. Only to die a month later.

ugh i feel for ya. That hurts

 

[seabedoasis]

$95 on a sunburst anthias. Still miss that fish it was a STUNNER.

 

[areefer01]

Not that expensive but Pink Square Anthias (Pseudanthias pleurotaenia) from Biota. I ordered them in pairs for a total of 4. More than likely I will order another two or three once they become available again. Price per, each, was around $120 USD if I remember correctly but don't hold me to that.

Why Biota vs wild? I was able to buy direct and like the idea behind captive bred, raised, animals. I also know they are eating dry food before along with what type they are feeding. I also know they are going to arrive as youngsters probably 6 to 11 months old give or take so know a rough age on them. This gives me time to watch the animal mature over time which I often miss when buying wild.

They arrived small, maybe 1 to 1 1/2 inch in size. Pale yellow, almost translucent. I have a video with my Yellow Assessor checking them out after arrival and it was interesting to see the difference. Over the past couple of years they have grown up with one dominate male in mixed colors but not full transition. The three remain female and do not try and change the status quo. There is a clear hierarchy which is visible by action and size. No fight club, torn fins, etc. They appear to be getting close to their estimated size which is between 6 and 8". Right now the largest of the bunch is probably 5 inches with the smallest being 3. They eat dry and frozen. Full bodies. Transition male does a rather interesting move to show he is lead. Almost like a head butt and snuggle mixed in.

TL; DR - I could have found these elsewhere cheaper but may not have the same quality or eating. That and I would have to do the QT or isolation which I didn't have time or space for. I found this was the best solution with a viable risk assessment. That and it made me feel good.

Edit: I more than likely will one up these as I'm currently contemplating a Red Sea Angle from Biota and they are double the price. I am trying to resist but the adult color is starting to pull me in like a month to a flame. We shall see.

 

[Jamie814]

Do you have pictures of it?

 

[Jamie814]

How are those yellow tangs doing?

They act very healthy, were about the size of a $.50 piece when I got them. About 3" now. They do show a little bit of HLLE not sure why, my Blue Hippo hasn't shown any. I very rarely run carbon and feed a large variety of foods.

 

[ktran]

My favorite fish. It decimated my softies so ended up having to sell it . Can't say I didn't try!

 

[jabberwock]

I did not buy the fish. It was some kind of deep water basslet. I was looking for a possum wrasse, and the helpful young LFS employee directed me to this basslet. He was explaining to me that it was peaceful and easy to keep. It was a beautiful fish. I asked him how much it costs. He replied, "two hundred and ninety nine dollars." I said, "Son, I have bought cars for less than that..."

It's true. I paid $200 for a 1987 GMC Sierra that used to be an old City of Cleveland OH highway truck.

 

[danreef55]

Very nice-looking fish. Great job

 

[MNCYC]

Yellow belly regal angelfish. 600 pre quarantined. 4 years old now

 

[Labridaedicted]

Don't really wanna dredge that memory back up, but probably my Attenuatus Flasher when they were first getting imported. He is sadly no longer with us due to an overly feisty white tailed bristletooth tang that hated wrasses for some unknown reason. (Also no longer with me, but for rehoming purposes) Price is redacted for personal safety.

 

[stewy14]

$30 clown

 

[rogueshrimp88]

My Biota Court Jester Goby was $45, plus $79 for shipping

 

[littlefoxx]

250 for a sohal tang. Died in a day. LFS gave me half the credit which was super nice of him.

 

[Wild1]

My dream fish, a Purple Tang, which developed ick almost immediately but not before infecting most of my other fish. I had never dealt with ick before and lost almost everything before I got it under control a couple of months later, that was an expensive fish!

 

[Pntbll687]

Swalls basslet for $120. Had him for a couple years now. See it every once in a while

 

[Barncat]

My dear little black snowflake handsome ocellaris man Cousteau! I believe that I paid $65 CAD for him.

 

[SupraSaltyReefer]

Paid extra for a few more stripes lol

 

[Joe.D]

I paid $250 for my Whitetail Bristletooth Tang 2 years ago. They are $350 now at the same LFS.