New holy grail since beani?

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NorCaliCichlids;3964422; said:
Yeah, those prices were crazy but the demand dictated it. No worse than other markups I've seen from other vendors. That's why I've waited till now. $50 for a 5-5.5" Beani is a fair deal in my book. If I saw one at the LFS for that price I'd probably be all over it.
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Absolutely. Market demand sets the price, and what is obscene to one may be just right to another. No matter the price, I wasn't going to purchase any until they proved healthy. Sooooo many stories of young beani bloating up. I think your choice to get the larger ones is a wise decision......a VERY wise decision.

Also on the price issue, I can't believe no sellers have started a WYSIWYG type of business plan. I know there's a market, albeit small, for fully grown proven pairs (emphasis on the "fully grown" part). Plus, many of us have tanks full of the same species. Do we value each fish equally? Not usually, but vendors still sell each specimen at the same price regardless of whether it is the pick or the runt.

In the case of beani, a fully grown pair or individual would be much more valuable to me than the size factor alone would account for. Just to know that the fish have adjusted to "X" water and "X" food would be of great value.


Back on the (newly derailed!) topic..... So is it Eddie who found the abandoned beani? I've communicated to a few people already that I do know of a 200+ pond fish farm currently for sale in Florida. I'm sure you could find a bunch of weird stuff in those ponds!
 
With the winter Florida just had, I think any untended ponds can be considered a wash for tropical fish. Even tended ponds, that could be covered, took a beating.

I think the "Jewel of Florida" in the terms of an abandoned fish farm is now gone.
 
cchhcc;3964506; said:
Vendors still sell each specimen at the same price regardless of whether it is the pick or the runt.
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I'm not so sure that's the case. A vendor who offers a variety of sizes could very easily be separating fry from a single spawn into those respective sizes to minimize loss and maximize profit. Some fry just grow bigger, faster than their siblings and while this may not be the case with the 'rio tepic' beani -if the 'pond' story is indeed true- I suspect this is the case with others.

Especially since cichlids are not born a particular sex but rather 'choose' their sex as they mature based on environmental factors. Therefore, the breeder can separate thriving fish from their 'runt' siblings in their first six months of life while maintaining correct male:female ratios.

If, for instance, a hobbyist buying from a vendor who offered EBJD's at 2", 2.5", and 3.5" where to buy the 2" fish to save money; he would be buying a runt.
So it is indeed best to buy big (for more reasons than one). This is also why it may be a plus to buy wild as nature eliminates the runts in most cases.

Another truth: "experience and accountability go a long way" but shrewd business tactics go further.
 
flowerpower;3964739; said:
I'm not so sure that's the case. A vendor who offers a variety of sizes could very easily be separating fry from a single spawn into those respective sizes to minimize loss and maximize profit. Some fry just grow bigger, faster than their siblings and while this may not be the case with the 'rio tepic' beani -if the 'pond' story is indeed true- I suspect this is the case with others.

Especially since cichlids are not born a particular sex but rather 'choose' their sex as they mature based on environmental factors. Therefore, the breeder can separate thriving fish from their 'runt' siblings in their first six months of life while maintaining correct male:female ratios.

If, for instance, a hobbyist buying from a vendor who offered EBJD's at 2", 2.5", and 3.5" where to buy the 2" fish to save money; he would be buying a runt.
So it is indeed best to buy big (for more reasons than one). This is also why it may be a plus to buy wild as nature eliminates the runts in most cases.

Another truth: "experience and accountability go a long way" but shrewd business tactics go further.
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I'm not implying that size is what indicated the pick of the litter, and I wouldn't expect a seller to be able to identify an outstanding fish at the juvenile stage. That's something that hobbyists think they can do, but growth and maturity rates vary quite a bit. Also, a fish can improve his appearance and condition just with a simple change of environment (as when the dominant fish of a group is sold or otherwise removed). Thus a beta fish can become and alpha in short order.

You are very right with your last statement. Shrewd (or unscrutable) business tactics have certainly been on display of late!
 
What a vendor charges for a fish is his perogative. Falsifying photos and creating new fish by collection points, or selling fish that have been in the hobby for years, as a new species is not a perogative. It is dishonest. Some may consider that "shrewd" I consider it despicable.
 
Within a brood of 300 fry alpha, beta and all subordinates that exist thereafter are distinguishable in groups not individuals. But this is all besides the point.

Unless the hobby is graced with a new species, variant, or the like- I'm sure that the next 'holy grail' will be a product of shrewd business tactics, clever marketing, and plenty of hype. It will have a high price tag, and likely disappoint all besides the person selling it. 'Rio Tepic' beani, F0 umbees, fernandezyepezi, and EBJD's are just a few examples of these IMO. But then my opinion is my own and I respect any and all who disagree.
"My rare holy grail is a well run system full of healthy fish."
Too true.
 
Well, I got the last of the mohicans of the big Beani. Jeff gave me a great deal on his remaining 5. 4 females and a male. I'm keeping 3 of the females and a male and my buddy is getting the other female. 5 for the price of 4. He says no more big Beani available after this (at least for now). My strategy of waiting it out pays off! But boy did I cut it close! I know males are rough on the females so I've got extra to work with now. Pretty excited about this.
 
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