Copperband butterflyfish and blue green reef chromis in a display aquarium at a LFSThere’s no question that many of the marine fish we keep in our aquariums come with a pretty hefty price tag. Even relatively inexpensive “bread-and-butter” species can cause a surprising degree of sticker shock compared to their freshwater counterparts. So, it’s simply prudent to shop around for the best possible price one can find on any given fish, right? While that’s true enough within certain parameters—and there are sometimes legitimate bargains to be had out there—it’s important to keep in mind that low-cost fish aren’t always as great a deal as advertised. Here are just a few reasons:Collection locale counts Some fish that are popular among hobbyists have a relatively extensive range and are collected in different locales throughout that range. Naturally, the collection, holding, and shipping practices prevalent in any given locale will have a significant impact on the quality and price of specimens originating there. The oft-cited example of this is the copperband butterflyfish (Chelmon rostratus), which is collected in the Philippines and Indonesia, where cyanide collection and other sketchy practices still go on, as well as in Australia, where collection practices are more carefully regulated
The post Discount Marine Fish Aren’t Always Such a Bargain! appeared first on reefs.com.