Would You Believe?

[schlecht13]

Kris - I am sure we have the same source - He is holding (4) latz for me should they come in. From what I understand, the Mcc's have landed and are in QT. He has sold 4 of the 8 already - again I have no interest in them and and waiting for the latz...Clarions did open up this year - 10 total came in with 6 being spoken for before they hit the US. The remaining 4 went up for sale beginning at $2500. 2 sold and if I am not mistaken, (1) is still available through LA and the other is with BZ although not advertised...

[kris4647]

There were rumors earlier this year that Clarions would be available like Conspics or the like; rare but available. Thus driving down the price. This never happened. As far as your detailed break down of Clarions, I know for a fact Olde town Aquarium in Chicago sold two earlier this year. One 6"er went for $1800 there, awesome price if you have the pockets for it.

As far as the Latz and esp Mculloughs; send pictures when they are in your tank. People, even the guy we are talking about have promised other things in the past and the Australian Cites fell through, it's just the nature of the game not his fault.

I hate to "go there" but you know we are talking about a fish thats illegal to collect, right?.

[LargeAngels]

The collector for clarion's is allowed one more run this year collecting by December, but with weather and other factors he doubt's he will do any more this year.

[schlecht13]

The Clarion's and the Mcc's require very specific importing/exporting permits. I'll be honest and tell you that I have no idea how the details on those animals play out. I am familiar with importing fish into the states that I have collected myself from various locals but none needed anything special other than the usual form 3-177. I would agree that seeing is believing - as for the $1800 for the Clarion - thats very low (relatively speaking of course!) and $2500 for the Mcc's considering I doubt they are being exported legally is probably right on - again like you said - if you have the money for them and are willing to drop that much with no guarantee and a poor survival record...not me...as for the Latz, they are usually rather easily exported, just hard to come by as most go to Europe and Asia to collectors who pay way more than we are willing in the states...Lets cross our fingers and hope at least tha Latz come through!

[criccio]

Originally Posted by schlecht13

...as for the Latz, they are usually rather easily exported, just hard to come by as most go to Europe and Asia to collectors who pay way more than we are willing in the states...Lets cross our fingers and hope at least tha Latz come through!

And this is what I don't understand. In an earlier post of mine, RC member "Chris" of the UK posted that his LFS just got in 10 Latz at $40 USD, while we are paying $250+. So why aren't they coming to the states when we are paying more???

Nothing personal schlecht, just thinking out loud.

Hey Kris, don't be throwing Old Town out there, that's my hometown secret. ;)

[mp9]

i don't know what you guys see in a clarion that'll make you want to pay so much???
in the late eighties my lfs here on the east coast had clarions and kings on a regular basis for $300. imo the juv. are nice. teenagers, nothing special but the adults - especially when they have more green - ugly. the body shape isn't even cool either. they say beauty is in the eye... but to me this self absorbed have to have what you can't collector mentality is completely messed. btw i'm not that impressed with many of the "designer" or rarely imported clowns either.

[traveller7]

Originally Posted by criccio

And this is what I don't understand. In an earlier post of mine, RC member "Chris" of the UK posted that his LFS just got in 10 Latz at $40 USD, while we are paying $250+. So why aren't they coming to the states when we are paying more???

A well documented example; chrysogasters coming Stateside. The main reason for the shipments: Gem Tangs. The chrysogasters are hitchhikers and if the box is full with Gem Tangs, the gasters stay behind. Been there done that for too many shipments.

In the case of MCCs, what else is coming with them, or not available to offset the shipment to other target markets? Much depends on the source of the fish; single event collection, new recurring access, new location found, captive bred, etc. They will not be a fish with broad market appeal, so I would expect them to reach a saturation point very quickly at higher pricing.

Just my humble opinion of course :)

[WDLV]

I can see some of the appeal with Gem Tangs. While I like the way they look, I do have limitations on what I'm prepared to spend on a fish. Those are well above that ceiling. Clarions simply do not appeal to me. For me while the McCs would be an unusual and welcome addition at much lower prices, paying over a thousand dollars for something that looks (to me) like a domino damsel is not a direction I'm willing to take for the novelty it would provide. There are many other examples of fish that fit this description. No disrespect to those who love and have the cash to persue these fish, but for those who would spend their rent money to be able to post pictures online... well, that's another matter.
I currently have all the clowns that I fell in love with 8-10 years ago when I bought Drs Allen and Fautin's book.
I have always had a thing for percula, thiellei, nigripes, leucokranos and latezonatus (in no particular order) and to a lesser degree chrysogaster. But I'm still looking for mates for some of them and will pay (within reason) what is necessary to keep them swimming in my tanks.
I love the unusual and hybrid clowns but most of the snowflake, picasso and naked clowns look pretty crappy to me. Sure, some of the breeder's show/breeding stock are very beautiful but I just can't see paying those prices for the table scraps they pass on to the consumer.

[AAK]

very well said...but if they are at your finger tips...and you have the cash to spend on them would u do it....i have clowns cause i enjoy them..i like to care for them and i can't count how many times i have fallin a sleep looking at them before light go out. i guess it all matters on how much money you are willing to pay for it..

just my 2 cents

[LargeAngels]

There is one angelfish that would be worth a trip for some collector and Mcc's could be a result of that.