Cost of fish

[MeCasa]

As it stands now I'll be going to Houston June 7th to buy my fish. Everything should be 100% ready except the light hood. (I'm building it myself as I get time and energy). It's been a lot of years since I priced fish and the internet prices are all over the place.

Can ya'll help me with a guesstimate of what the following fish will run me so I can at least have an idea if I can even afford to buy them on the 7th. My plan is to take the list of stores ya'll gave me start in the south and work my way north. I won't buy any fish until the return trip so that I can see who has the best of ......


Fire Mouth Cichlid - Thorichthys meeki
Jack Dempsey - Rocio octofasciatum
Cobalt Blue Zebra - Metriaclima callainos
Electric Yellow - Labidochromis caeruleus
Green terror - 'Aequidens' sp. "Goldsaum"
Jewel Cichlid - Hemichromis bimaculatus
Convict Cichlid - Amatitlania nigrofasciata
Red Zebra Cichlid - Metriaclima estherae

Thanks for your help

[moganman]

How many of each are you looking for and sizes?

[MeCasa]

One of each and the size depends on pricing and availability. I'd like to get all of them at 2" so I can better pick out the males but even at that size sexing is a crapshoot at best and they may be more than I can afford. I may do better at 1 1/4 and replace as needed once they're old enough to sex.

Thanks

[armthehomeless]

You should be able to get all of these fish at Petsmart. Expect to pay ~$70 retail.

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[MeCasa]

I've set the amount at $200, but I want GOOD FISH!!!

Adoption is not to trifled with

EDIT: I'd like a nice pleco for that too, either a vampire or a zebra if available, if I get a deal on the other fish maybe I can get one of each, my guess is around $30 a piece if even available?

EDIT II: Can I possibly get all 2 inchers and the 2 plecos for $200. Will 2 inchers be available? I hate buying little fish because they have no definition

But don't misunderstand, I will darn sure buy little fish if that's what is available, that's what I can afford and/or that would be better for the fish (attitude wise)

[morpheus]

your original list you should be able to get fairly cheap since you are getting juvies. and they can be found almost anywhere. i think tim's estimate is right (~$70).

as for the plecos...the $30-$45 may get you a 2" or so vampire pleco if they have them. but a zebra pleco no way. those are like $200+ each

[morpheus]

I've set the amount at $200, but I want GOOD FISH!!!

EDIT II: Can I possibly get all 2 inchers and the 2 plecos for $200. Will 2 inchers be available? I hate buying little fish because they have no definition

But don't misunderstand, I will darn sure buy little fish if that's what is available, that's what I can afford and/or that would be better for the fish (attitude wise)

I pretty much replied with my opinion on "EDIT number 1". so for EDIT II, there is no way IMO you would get everything for under $200 due to the cost of a zebra pleco. but everything else for under $200 yes, with money to spare if you wanted multiples of your wishlist

you can probably find juvies in the 2" range for all of them. might want to call ahead of places you are going to shop. petsmart normally does have firemouths, JDs, green terrors, jewels and convicts. also a variety of africans.

what do you mean by wanting "good fish"? meaning good quality? i have never really had many issues with petsmart for more common fish, and they come with a 14 day guarantee no questions asked (30 day from petco). so really "good fish" is a long happy life wherever they are purchased. no store will have a perfect track record. if they look sickly or beat up, dont buy

with your mixture of fish, buying small and raising together is the best bet. you have the room in a 150g i think you said was the tank size. they will all grow quickly.

[MeCasa]

Yes I meant good quality, I don't know why but the fish in Petsmart look weak...maybe the lighting.

OK, I admit it, I want GLADIATORS For every breed I want that one fish that takes up the whole end of the sales tank for himself and his harem...Hehe

I thought the Zebra pleco was expensive but not that much, I'll never pay $200 for any fish

I'll bring $200 to Houston, as for the guarantee, it costs me more than $25 in gas to go to Houston and back..I have no guarantee

Thanks

[morpheus]

good luck! even if you get all the dominant fish in each tank, they will work out their own pecking order when put together. its just the way of the fish world

if you are traveling a long ways back to your place, make sure to ask the store to fill the bag with oxygen. or how they recommend longer transport.

[MeCasa]

I appreciate your help. I'm excited about this, especially the Dempsey, Firemouth and Green Terror.

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