just got back into the hobby 1st real purchase was $800 and i wasn't expecting that at all lol...i would say up to a couple thousand as that what i have to throw around at a really amazing offer.
reason 2. pay $XXX.XX for a fish that could die just days after buying it
reason 3. of course some fish are more exotic and get bigger than others.....but they still are just fish and I don't think $1000 for any fish makes much sense (personally speaking)