What is the most you would ever pay for a fish?

When I first started my saltwater tank, I didn't worry about the cost of the fish too much. I bought what was compatible for my tank and my fish, regardless of price. Then, I had an $80 fish die within three days of putting it in the tank. I was devastated, not only because of the fish but also because I lost $80.

Now I have a limit of around $50. If a fish is considered difficult to care for, then I won't spend more than $20. As much as I would love to have a rare tang or something amazing, I don't want to take the chance of losing a lot of money.

Do you have a limit for what you'll spend on a fish?

$80? What fish was it?

The most I have ever paid for a fish was $8. My two German Blue Ram cost me $8 each from liveaquaria. My Neon Rainbowfish cost me $8 each from Pet Supplies Plus. Most other fish only cost $1~3 since I mostly buy small sized freshwater tropical fish. I will move up the value chain eventually when I can get myself a bigger aquarium.

However, consider I am not pleased with the quality of the fish from local Walmart and Pet Supplies Plus, I often buy my live fish online. It cost $35 for overnight shipping which add to the total cost.

$80.00 is insane to pay for a fish no offence, the most I would pay is maybe like 5.00, I can understand if it's imported and costs for shipping and stuff like that or maybe if it was a really rare fish that was totally hard to get. Also be careful of buying fish for expensive like that, know who you are buying from and what kind of health their fish are in, strange that a fish would just die three days after purchasing it, something had to of been wrong with it or maybe the tank was out of junction with it's body? Fish are pretty sensitive to environment changes and maybe it was the water or something.

(07-06-2013, 03:27 PM)nafretiti Wrote: $80.00 is insane to pay for a fish no offence, the most I would pay is maybe like 5.00,

sasha32 was referring to saltwater fish. They are more expensive than freshwater fish because many of the saltwater fish are wild caught. It means someone has to dive in the sea somewhere and catch the fish individually before being transported to you. It is much easier to breed freshwater fish which each spawn can produce hundreds if not thousands.