Ouch

[Orion]

I visited a great LFS in Knoxville, TN yesterday just looking around like I always like to do when I'm down that way. They have an unusualy nice selection of both African and New World cichlids.

I was looking in the tanks and noticed that they had some N. brevis. It had been a while since I kept any shell dwellers, and my first thought was to get some...till I saw the price. $24.99 each! Now I'm sorry, even I draw the line somewhere. Even for WC I thought that was a mighty high price. I've seen WC's cheaper online even with shipping. Multies were 19.99, and julies were 20-25 depending on species.

With the exception of a species of apisto's, all the SA's and CA's were decently priced. Malawi cichlids weren't an arm and a leg either. Why do Tanganyikan cichlids have to demand so much in retail? lol Needless to say I was rather sticker shocked and didn't get any.

 

[FreshwaterJeff]

Hey, that's my hometown

Which LFS was this? I haven't known a good one to go to when I'm visiting the folks since Something Fishy closed (which had to be at least 10 years ago)...

 

[Cichlid-Man]

Yeah, thats how it goes. Sucks. Prices are like that here too for tangs. I guess maybe because they are slow growers so even though many species are bred in aquaria, it takes so long for the juvis to grow that they just go on and sell the adults for crazy high prices. I don't know.

 

[FreddyJ]

If you think of it as an investment and breed them and then sell the offspring back to the LFS for outrageous prices, then I suppose then you could justify spending so much. Just a thought.

 

[SinisterKisses]

Just a matter of supply and demand...at least around here, its HIGHLY uncommon to see Tangs of any kind in a store. When you do, they're astronomically priced - nothing less than $20 a fish no matter what it is. The fact that a lot of species do grow very slowly does have something to do with it, as Matt mentioned. However, any Tang I've seen in a store in my city is tiny, so I can't even justify that, lol.

 

[Dino]

It's probably The Aquarium on Papermill.
They do have a nice selection but some of their prices make me cringe and laugh.
I once saw 2 inch regular colored convicts for $9.99.
But, I also picked up 11 full grown lasiancistrus plecos for 24.99$ each.
For freshwater, it is about all that is left in K town.

 

[Orion]

Yep, that's the place Dino.

 

[Cichlid-Man]

The shellies here usually run at least $20 a piece. $20 for Multis...which is crazy. And the higher price for other species IF they are even seen. And a young calvus or comp at about 2-3" will be priced at, at least $30. We don't see much diversity as far as tangs go around here.

 

[Katie217]

at least you guys HAVE tangs where you are at. I have never ever seen a tang IRL

 

[Cichlid-Man]

Any tang katie? None?

 

[Katie217]

none, zip, zero, nada, zilch

 

[Orion]

I've found some nice F1 inkfin calvus in a LFS in Lexingon before for $5 each, but then I've seen brichardi go for $15! I would think brichardi would sell for a dime a dozen as prolific as they are, but for what ever reason they demand a pretty good price up here. I've also seen some julies on several occasions less than $10 for sub adults, but then agian comps may be $20 each for juvies.

The priceing seems real crazy in some of the LFS in KY. Some times you can get a good deal, others you just wish they would take you to dinner first...

 

[FreshwaterJeff]

Oh man, that place is SO close to my house...

I've seen it a million times from I-40, but for some reason it never registered with me.

 

[Orion]

You really should stop by and check it out sometime. If nothing else fun to look around. I don't know my way around Knoxville very well, so lucky me it's easy on and off 40.

 

[FreshwaterJeff]

I will, the next time I'm home (which will be in about 3 weeks)...

 

[MemnochsKat]

Hey I'm from Clinton, just outside of Knoxville. The Aquarium is by far the best LFS in the area. I visited Fins n Skins today, it's near West Town Mall. These two guys came in and practically begged the clerk to let them by a $10 gold fish and feed it to a piranah. The guy actually let them do it, and they were all screaming and hooting watching the fish get eaten. There is also Harry's Aquarium in Oak Ridge. They have a good selection of fish, and their tanks look healthy. I however haven't had much luck with keeping their fish alive, I think it may be a difference in their water and mine. I've been looking for info on local fish keepers and places to buy fishies!

 

[Dino]

Several of us are meeting here at my fishhouse on Sunday.
We are planning another gettogether for the fall.
I am located in McMinn county.
PM me for address if your interested.