Define value of perfect/oddball/symmetry/shortbody

[HarleyK]

Howdy,

It's personal preference what everyone of us is willing to pay extra for. I thought I'd start a discussion.

Is an oddball clown loach more $$$ just because it's rare, or is it prettier than regular?

Does asymmetry make a dat worth less?

A shortbody fish as an opportunity to keep large fish in a small tank, or is it beauty?

What are your preference/thoughts/experiences?

HarleyK

 

[888fish]

IMO, I love oddball patterned clown loaches. Small ones under 4" aren't worth much more to me, cuz loaches are more attractive when large. But, it's rare to find larger 6"+ oddball clown loaches around, most are imported at larger sizes and don't have odd patterns. My interest is not so much in rarity, or worth, but I value uniqueness and being able to distinguish one from the rest of the pack. But, personally I would pay 2x-3x the amount for a large unique patterned one than the same loach with the typical patten.

 

[duanes]

I always cull short bodied fry, because I consider that mutation similar to a curved spine, or deformed jaw.

 

[fishnatics]

I believe it's all in the eye of the beholder. I don't know if I would pay more for an oddball loach, dat or catfish. To me it's still a loach, dat or catfish with a different pattern. I find it unique but I don't believe the price should be jacked up. Just my opinion.

 

[Lepisosteus]

Personally I feel we should be paying more for beneficial mutations but that's never the case

 

[rodger]

I don't like mutants as a rule. Now a different pattern isn't a mutation IMO. Mutations are things like short body or cross breeding species. I don't find flowerhorns or weird goldfish attractive. I guess my point is, the way nature intended them to be holds the most value.

 

[SandNukka15]

Personally I'm not one to buy fish due only to rarity....I believe majority of those people tend to be egotistical and feel as if they need to be on a stepping stool just to be higher......I believe these fish are worth just as much as someone is willing to pay for it....I go for characteristics and looks usually.....for example odd ball albinos are useless to me as I find them ugly where most people find them as a rarity and will pay top dollar....I would pay extra for fish that are flawless but not those with abnormalities.

 

[HarleyK]

Good discussion here. Strong opinions, and no flaming. That's a great display of diversity and tolerance.

 

[Lepisosteus]

Don't get me wrong a golden gar is my dream fish but not because it's rare. I like it because the color is absolutely amazing. Personally I have no interest in short body fish, it seems cruel to breed something for a birth defect

 

[jaws7777]

We had a similar discussion in the poly section. Im not into shortbody, albinos, or platinum fish. I really like the natural look much better. Thats not to say i do t find beauty in platinum fish but prefer a more natural look.