Has ORA increased their price on Picassos?

[basser1]

I was on LA tonight and saw where they have a pair of Grade A Picassos in the Divers Den section. The price is $400 bucks. I have a pair of grade A picassos that I bought from my LFS last year. But I didn't pay near that for mine! Here's a link with pic:


http://www.liveaquaria.com/diversden/ItemDisplay.cfm?c=2733+3&ddid=43657

 

[Reef Ruler]

Were yours grade A? Because there is also a pair, but it doesnt say which grade, of ORA picassos on divers den for $199.99

http://www.liveaquaria.com/DiversDen/ItemDisplay.cfm?c=2733+3&ddid=43656

 

[basser1]

You bet!! My LFS is a long time ORA dealer and sold me as Grade A. If LA are grade A, mine are Grade AA!! LOL! Here's a pic:

 

[douglam]

yours are freaking awsome and i want to steal them from you so badly

 

[douglam]

what is the differnce between grade A and others. what makes them grade A

 

[TXChewy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12907491#post12907491 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by douglam
what is the differnce between grade A and others. what makes them grade A

Better and nicer markings. More of a puzzle piece look to them make A grade.

No I doubt ORA has raised prices keep in mind who the seller is in this case. If you compair their prices on other fish against your LFS you will find a price change. All be it not as significant as this in most cases.

 

[ViPeR_930]

The divers den is just like that.

 

[Heterodonut]

Keep in mind that L.A. offers a 14 day guarantee. I bet most lfs don't guarantee their sw fish for two weeks. L.A. has to cover the cost on all the replacement fish they ship out. Basser1 those are great looking Picasso clown's. A lot of people don't realize the potential when they see them at a young age and the orange and white aren't so crisp, and they don't have the black yet. Good snag!

 

[Reef Ruler]

Nice clowns! Although to me they look like snowflakes (occelaris), but either way, they are some of the nicest snowflakes/picassos i've seen.

 

[myreefcentral]

that's a nice pair but $399...OUCH! i thought my pair was expensive...that almost doubled the price i paid for mine.

 

[myreefcentral]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12907259#post12907259 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by basser1
You bet!! My LFS is a long time ORA dealer and sold me as Grade A. If LA are grade A, mine are Grade AA!! LOL! Here's a pic:

now which one's the female? they look to be about the same size.

 

[basser1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12910725#post12910725 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by myreefcentral
now which one's the female? they look to be about the same size.

That my friend, is a very good question! For the longest time, the one in the background was the bigger of the 2. Now, however, they are about the same size. They hang together constantly. Maybe they are 2 females or males? I'm not sure! If anyone has any suggestions, I'm listening!

 

[Heterodonut]

Mated pairs that are both about 1-1/2 to 2" are most likely niether male or female. They are most likely "sexless" juveniles. When they get to be 12 to 18 months old one of them usually puts on a growth spurt, and becomes the female. Usually then the smaller one becomes a male. A more appropriate term for stores selling two juvenile clowns together would be compatible pair, not mated pair. Two small compatible clowns left together long enough usually become sexed female/male pair and then a mated or spawning pair. No matter how you slice it, they are two choice Picasso clowns, on their way to being an awesome pair of Picasso clowns!

 

[slipondajimmy]

I think those are the nicest clowns I have ever seen.

 

[basser1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12914545#post12914545 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Heterodonut
Mated pairs that are both about 1-1/2 to 2" are most likely niether male or female. They are most likely "sexless" juveniles. When they get to be 12 to 18 months old one of them usually puts on a growth spurt, and becomes the female. Usually then the smaller one becomes a male. A more appropriate term for stores selling two juvenile clowns together would be compatible pair, not mated pair. Two small compatible clowns left together long enough usually become sexed female/male pair and then a mated or spawning pair. No matter how you slice it, they are two choice Picasso clowns, on their way to being an awesome pair of Picasso clowns!

Thanks Heterodonut.... These clowns will be celebrating their first year with me, I bought them from my LFS last August. Considering how old they were when my LFS got them from ORA, I'm thinking they must be approaching that 12 to 18 month period you mention. They were small, like you described. They've been inseparable ever since. I have noticed that lately they seem to be more aggressive towards each other. One seems to nudge the other one in the belly area.

 

[JLopez]

well the one doing the nudging is probably the female.

food for thought, ORA sells these guys for $50(obviously not to the public)

 

[myreefcentral]

that's a huge markup & profit for the LFS then...

 

[JLopez]

yup. usually prices are doubled(more or less) but certain rarities can be way over priced.

 

[JLopez]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12907491#post12907491 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by douglam
what is the differnce between grade A and others. what makes them grade A

grade A picassos have their stripes connected. while they are juveniles they may not be fully connected, but you can tell when the stripes are close enough that once they are mature, the stripes will fill in and connect. B grade picassos stripes dont get half as close to connecting.

 

[gordon2726]

<-------- I have a pair of Semi Picasso Clowns... so they're grade B?