I've seen them a lot less than $50 in california. I had one like 2-3 years ago... I think I paid $15 for it at 3 inches---too bad the baby jar massacred it.
I just bought a 12" African Arowana for $150 dollars. Should be arriving on Wednesday. I'm happy to pay extra for an established eater on "normal foods" rather than spend less for a juvi Aro that might just starve itself to death.