Why are some fish so expensive?

[aquarob]

Well, no matter how cute or rare a fish is, I see no reason on earth to pay over $10 for a single fish, personally. Freshwater anyway. Saltwater is a whole other animal, but personally I don't believe in buying anything wild caught, so that is why I only purchase farm raised or tank bred fish. Just a personal viewpoint.

 

[Hooked Newbie]

Well, no matter how cute or rare a fish is, I see no reason on earth to pay over $10 for a single fish, personally. Freshwater anyway. Saltwater is a whole other animal, but personally I don't believe in buying anything wild caught, so that is why I only purchase farm raised or tank bred fish. Just a personal viewpoint.

I agree that it's a personal choice. People place and view "value" differently. Personally, I'd rather pay $20 for a rare FW fish that has been bred in aquaria, than a commonly collected Marine fish. In fact, I'll gladly pay a premium for tank bred fish. Unfortunately, not all fish have been successfully bred in aquaria. The more expensive FW fish are usually going to people who will in turn breed them. That helps to both reduce the need for collecting from the wild and lowering the prices. So, I agree with you mostly... but from a slightly different angle.

 

[aquarob]

I agree that it's a personal choice. People place and view "value" differently. Personally, I'd rather pay $20 for a rare FW fish that has been bred in aquaria, than a commonly collected Marine fish. In fact, I'll gladly pay a premium for tank bred fish. Unfortunately, not all fish have been successfully bred in aquaria. The more expensive FW fish are usually going to people who will in turn breed them. That helps to both reduce the need for collecting from the wild and lowering the prices. So, I agree with you mostly... but from a slightly different angle.

Good, I am glad you agree. Harvesting from the wild to breed them is one thing, but mass scale harvesting to be sold I do not agree with.

 

[Hooked Newbie]

Good, I am glad you agree. Harvesting from the wild to breed them is one thing, but mass scale harvesting to be sold I do not agree with.

That I do agree with. Do you eat Tuna or Grouper? To take this in a slightly different, but related direction.

 

[aquarob]

That I do agree with. Do you eat Tuna or Grouper? To take this in a slightly different, but related direction.

Not unless I catch it myself. =) I don't support the longline or trawler industry if I can help it.

 

[Hooked Newbie]

Not unless I catch it myself. =) I don't support the longline or trawler industry if I can help it.

Even if you catch it yourself... many fish are over "harvested". Might as well just buy one wild caught fish for your aquarium. Same net effect.

 

[aquarob]

Even if you catch it yourself... many fish are over "harvested". Might as well just buy one wild caught fish for your aquarium. Same net effect.

Not at all, in my opinion. Longlines and trawl nets are indiscriminate in what they catch and kill. Everything from porpoise to sea turtles to sharks get caught and killed in the attempt to catch tuna. By the time the nets are brought in, most everything in them has already drowned and cannot be released alive.

When I go fishing for a grouper, If I catch a hammerhead instead, I cut my line and the hammerhead swims away.

See the difference? :headbang2:

 

[Hooked Newbie]

Not at all, in my opinion. Longlines and trawl nets are indiscriminate in what they catch and kill. Everything from porpoise to sea turtles to sharks get caught and killed in the attempt to catch tuna. By the time the nets are brought in, most everything in them has already drowned and cannot be released alive.

When I go fishing for a grouper, If I catch a hammerhead instead, I cut my line and the hammerhead swims away.

See the difference? :headbang2:

Yes and no. Did you know that Grouper is one of the most threatened of close shore fish? The average caught weight of them has declined at an alarming rate because they are being caught at younger and younger ages and take a long time before they are able to reproduce. See the problem?

 

[aquarob]

Yes and no. Did you know that Grouper is one of the most threatened of close shore fish? The average caught weight of them has declined at an alarming rate because they are being caught at younger and younger ages and take a long time before they are able to reproduce. See the problem?

Oh, overfishing is definitely an issue worldwide. No debate there. That includes commercial and private fishing. I am a responsible fisherman/sportsman though, and I only keep what I am going to eat and I follow the regulations to the letter when keeping anything. Same goes for hunting, though deer are actually overpopulated in my state, so the state is actually encouraging hunters to kill more then they are going to eat. Even still, I don't kill anything I am not going to eat, except the occasional mosquito.

I'd rather self sustain with hunting deer, fishing, and raising chickens myself then trust the government to make sure my food is safe. Unfortunately, it's not an option in today's world, so I do my best to stock my freezer with deer and fish when they are in season and grow my own vegetables, but even then I usually end up buying store bought meat a few times a year.

 

[Hooked Newbie]

Oh, overfishing is definitely an issue worldwide. No debate there. That includes commercial and private fishing. I am a responsible fisherman/sportsman though, and I only keep what I am going to eat and I follow the regulations to the letter when keeping anything. Same goes for hunting, though deer are actually overpopulated in my state, so the state is actually encouraging hunters to kill more then they are going to eat. Even still, I don't kill anything I am not going to eat, except the occasional mosquito.

I'd rather self sustain with hunting deer, fishing, and raising chickens myself then trust the government to make sure my food is safe. Unfortunately, it's not an option in today's world, so I do my best to stock my freezer with deer and fish when they are in season and grow my own vegetables, but even then I usually end up buying store bought meat a few times a year.

We have quite alot of similar viewpoints I think. The key to me is knowing what to let go and alot of people aren't aware of that. If you ever find yourself with too much Venison, let me know. lol

As for the skeeters.... I say slaughter them all!