Zebra plecos

[Discus Origins]

If more people that do have them out te extra effort in and breed these fish, eventually the price would go down. If I can ever justify buying a trio of them that's just what I would do. If you can breed them and sell them for half what everyone else is , soon enough more people have them.


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

Extra effort = big investment, to get a decent breeding group you need a minimum of 2M4F which at current prices would be $1200-1500 depending on size. Some males don't breed or are bad at fertilizing, so just because you have one or two males doesn't guarantee viable spawns.

Each spawn only consists of 7-10 eggs max and it takes 6 months to raise them to 1", minimum shipping size.

After the initial investment and the effort and time it takes to raise babies to an inch who is going to turn around and sell them for cheap?

There is a reason why some fish remain expensive, whether rarity in wild or low reproductive rates. It's not as easy as breeding guppies lol.

 

[MidWestMike]

Still, all points aside, one look at this fish and anybody would want one.


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

 

[lethalcustoms00]

I'm not saying that its easy, because I agree it's not. But by the time people have the experience to be able to breed and raise a fish like this, they've forgotten why they got into the hobby in the first place. Asking 2 or 300 dollars for a fish like this that is able to be bred in captivity robs other hobbyists from being able to keep one of the wonders of the water.


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

 

[4wheelvfr]

I think I paid $45 for my first L46........in 1996 lol. $160 is not terrible for one right now though.

 

[Jc1119]

Still, all points aside, one look at this fish and anybody would want one.


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

Who wouldn't, but what most folks don't realize is they don't get much bigger than about 4", are carnivores, don't compete well for food at all ( in a community setting) and are endangered. They also prefer high current and high temps.

Really only suitable for a species tank or to be kept with fish that won't outcompete them at the chow line, especially in light of the price tag. On my bucket list for sure, but I'll be getting about 10-12 if and when I ever find the coin to commit. Awesome, but somewhat specialized fish.......

 

[JayC74]

Yea no such thing if it was that price I know I'll have a bunch of them. I bought one over 20 years ago at $240 and the price still hasn't gone down. To be honest having one wasn't really worth it cause it would hide all the time and viewing was very limited.


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

20years ago..$240..OUCH.I was only paying about $50 for mine back then

 

[theyangman]

I'm not saying that its easy, because I agree it's not. But by the time people have the experience to be able to breed and raise a fish like this, they've forgotten why they got into the hobby in the first place. Asking 2 or 300 dollars for a fish like this that is able to be bred in captivity robs other hobbyists from being able to keep one of the wonders of the water.


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

Supply and demand. It is what makes the world go round. If you want something there is a good chance there are a lot of other people who want it as well, and there is another guy smart enough to exploit those people and make a buck doing it.

its called capitalism.

Sent from my SGH-I317M using MonsterAquariaNetwork App

 

[fiveoffive]

$160 is epic over here $500+ for Fry Breeding set 2K

 

[krichardson]

I think I paid $45 for my first L46........in 1996 lol. $160 is not terrible for one right now though.

Sure isn't....Just the other day I was in a store looking at one and it was priced three hundred dollars.


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

 

[Assassynation]

I bought two last year, lost one 3 months after I bought it. It still hurts. $160 is a great price at a LFS, as they sell online only at that price before shipping. I paid $280 each.

I never see the little guy either!