Zebrina Pike Cichlid

Hahaha now that's the way to do it, just hijack them on their way!!!!

 

Aside from the fact that it's not a spectacular looking fish to start with, I can't see why someone would want to buy that fish? If you're so loaded that that kind of money doesn't mean anything, why not rather buy a large discus tank stocked to the brim with stunning fish? I don't get it..
Anyway, how does that kind of value get attached to a fish? Is it supply and demand creating the price? If it's that rare, surely it would be protected?

 

@Broder, do a google search... there are some stunning pike cichlids...

I guess people have different likes and dislikes and place different values to different things all I meant is we should respect that

How many people out there think we all crazy with what this hobby costs us?
And lets face it... a few hundred rands today and next week and whenever... all adds up, just doesn't sound so bad a bit at a time...

Anyway... yes, if I remember correctly,they are blacklisted in SA but im not sure if because they protected or invasive

 

Beauty is in the eye of beholder, so some would rather buy pike than discuss? Visit the world of art and you'll wonder why a child-like painting done on corrugated cardboard (literally), would be worth R150m? Because Picasso painted it.
Not necessarily logical or even rational by my reasoning. Similarly I believe, I am a practical, logical and rational person and therefore a bakkie is the best/ only vehicle to drive, many will disagree - which is probably a good thing.

 

as far as I know they are black listed

 

You can't compare art and the collection of exotic fish species. Art is an asset, which will speak to the buyer on a financial level, or on an aesthetic level. Either way, they generally expect to at the very least get their money back. Let's be honest, fish collectors buy fish for bragging rights. Just to illustrate, chaetodon marleyi..

which is endemic to the east coast of South Africa, is often overlooked by local fish keepers, because it requires slightly cooler water than other butterflyfish and they're a dime a dozen here. They aren't even that pretty compared to other butterflies. But as they're only found here, are not allowed to be sold or traded and certainly not exported, they suddenly become very attractive to oversees collectors, who pay in excess of $1000(couldn't find an accurate price online). Is it an investment? It will likely even die if it isn't accepting prepared food, or its kept at the incorrect temperature. So not an investment. Great beauty? Not really prettier than any other butterfly. But the collector has a story to tell about how it's only found in Africa and illegal to export. So now he's the badass Indiana Jones amongst his fish tank buddies. Worth every cent of the 2k$ that he just spent.

 

@Reedfish, you make me very jealous with the fish you can get over there, the Zebra pike and red tapajos pike cichlids are one of my fav. if I they were not on the black list I would be hunting for someone to bring them in for me.. you can call me crazy, that's ok...

 

Now convert that into Rands at the current exchange rate (R18-96 to the pound this morning) and then consider your definition of "That's just nuts" again. Wouldn't get a very good small used car for that price, but you'd get one.

I must admit, though, I like that fish. But I do tend to like the ugly ones anyway, my Polypterus senegalus being a good definition of "ugly". no, not "ugly" - "interesting" and "full of character".

 

If I were a billionaire I would by that, fry and eat it, then post the pics on aquarium forums to upset people

 

Haha... @Vis... Or eat it like K-K-K-Ken's fish, in A Fish Called Wanda

 

Haha, well I'm not offended either. I don't think I could quite stomach paying that price, but I'm sure many others would be quite willing to. Agree with MariaS there: People spend much larger sums of money on much more pointless things, but it's their money, and if it makes them happy, why the heck not? Still a darn nice fish. Wouldn't mind owning a pair like that at all.

 

Like this....http://thaifood-aroy-aroy.blogspot.co.za/2007/04/fried-sea-barsch.html?m=1

 

if it's rare and expensive you automatically get bragging rights, irrespective if its a car, art, jewelry, a horse, fish, home or whatever, and because it's rare and desirable it will be an asset that can be traded, thus an investment that can yield a return (hopefully positive)
Very few rich people spend money frivolously, that's why they are rich.....

 

I know the feeling, people think im crazy too with what I paid for my rays and RTG....

 

I think you must just make sure you really like what you pay for because the hype of Pietie got a Panda quickly fades and then you still have the animal.