I don't get designer clownfish

[D-Nak]

:lolspin: I was being sarcastic buddy! Face it, a lot of people pay big money for designer clowns just so they can brag about how much they spent. Same with corals. Sorry I so easily ruffled your feathers.

I completely agree that people pay a lot of money for designer clowns so that they can brag or have "comparisons" but what cracks me up even more is when it comes to so-called grading. People frequently ask others to "grade" their clowns (common with Picassos) with the notion that a higher grade = a higher quality fish. That's simply not true. Just goes to show the power of marketing.

Here's where I'm torn. A big part of forums like this one is to educate people, and that includes clown owners. But what do we tell people who ask us "what do you think of my clown?" Most simply say "it's stunning!" or "what a nice addition!" when in many cases the flat head and protruding lower jaw make me want to tell them "it's awful looking" but how can I say that without coming across as an a-hole?

Somehow we need to shift the mentality that cool patterns are NOT the primary reason to buy a clown. I know it's a hard battle because when a friend comes over and peers into your tank, they don't say "wow that tank-bred fish has a perfect shape" they say "whoa, that's a crazy looking Nemo fish". The perfect body shape shows that there was knowledge and effort behind the breeding process, but I don't think breeders can capitalize on their effort (yet). I think this is where reputation and lineage will play a bigger role in the future (fingers crossed).

 

[gbose]

20L Betta Tanks

20L Betta Tanks

What's wrong with 20L Betta tanks? I have one (actually more like 3G = 12L). And a 29G FW tank. And a 10G .. and a 5G and my RSM130 SW... ogod, that's a lot!

I do like my Betta, thought!

 

[Snowgrrl83]

I love designer clowns and here is why:
1- they are aquacultured (my real-life job is a conservation wildlife biologist... I only keep aquacultured fish and corals).
2- everyone knows what a clownfish should look like, and all non-aquarists comment on your clownfish when they see your fish tank... Making unique looking clowns a great conversation starter when people come over.
3- ive had my fish for 4+ years. I want to LOVE my fish and not get sick of them.

I recently bought this ocellaris. He's not a designer clown, but looks like one. I bought him for $20....i think he's the coolest thing, now if he can only stop hosting the corner of the tank. Maybe ill get an rbta.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=253444&d=1385154461

 

[SDguy]

Agreed! That one is pretty nice! I'm guessing it would ultimately sport the same 'tude as any Maroon clown once it got bigger. It would be funny to see that cutie attacking my hand!! :lmao:

Yikes! I only now just realized that is ONE clown for sale at that price! :lol:

 

[timinnl]

And that is part of the reason for the cost. Any fool can raise clownfish. But to raise them correctly takes a TON of knowledge, attention to detail, and LABOR. A lot of "get rich quick" hobbyists think they can buy two expensive clowns, get them to reproduce, and make $$$. But it is never as easy as it looks.... trust me.

:thumbsup:

 

[timinnl]

What does SEO mean?

Kind Regards,

Tim

 

[ssdawood]

Price aside, I'm usually the first person to admit how much I dislike designer clowns, but those gold nugget maroon clowns on LADD right now are pretty darn cool! I suspect I like them because the pattern is actually symmetrical, unlike the paint splatter look of so many designer clowns.

These are sweet looking. IF I did not have a pair of clowns, I would buy them in a heart beat.

 

[SDguy]

These are sweet looking. IF I did not have a pair of clowns, I would buy them in a heart beat.

That's a single fish!

 

[Dashylock]

Are you in Australia by any chance? I was out there a few years ago....I saw an entry level mercedes sitting in the parking lot of a dealership as I was walking by in the Melbourne CBD.

I thought there was an error on the price sign on the car.....so out of curiosity, I walked into the office and told the guy his employee had made a mistake in pricing that entry level Mercedes at $90,000.

He said there was no mistake, this is how much cars cost out there due to government taxes.


I was in Cairns a few weeks later and saw someone in a BMW M3 and I instantly realized that person probably had more money in the coin slot in their dashboard than I had in all of my bank accounts.

Have heard rumors M3's cost upwards of $200k out there in Australia.

You should go to Singapore - E-class is $300k.

 

[criticalencore]

I paid a couple hundred dollars for my pair about 4 yes ago.. seemed like a lot at the time but they have averaged out to be $50/yr now and I'm hoping they last another 10yrs.

 

[Flanders]

Mother nature already perfected the clownfish IMO. Most of the variants look like mistakes to me. The lightning maroon is pretty cool, but that was collected. But, to each his/her own.

 

[M Woodhill]

Mother nature already perfected the clownfish IMO. Most of the variants look like mistakes to me. The lightning maroon is pretty cool, but that was collected. But, to each his/her own.

i guess its really hard to keep the designer patterns stable. when my sis used to breed clownfish, we had some variations in f1 from time to time but basically none of the features remain in f2

 

[Ambition]

Mother nature already perfected the clownfish IMO. Most of the variants look like mistakes to me. The lightning maroon is pretty cool, but that was collected. But, to each his/her own.

Picasso perculas can be found in the wild, but obviously they are no where near as common as the percula clownfish we term as "normal".

 

[Spyderturbo007]

What does SEO mean?

Kind Regards,

Tim

Search Engine Optimization.

Buying expensive or rare fish and high-end corals makes you feel better about yourself and is a status symbol among other reefers. You get to brag to all of your friends about how much you spent and all non-reefers stare at you in awe because you spent that kind of money on a tiny fish.

I bought my Designer Clowns, one of which I sadly lost about 6 months in, because they looked nice to myself and my wife. I really didn't care if they were $3 or $300. I don't have any friends that are reefers and don't even bother telling anyone how much things cost, unless they ask.

I really don't care what they think. The tank is for myself and my wife to enjoy, not anyone else. I buy what I want and what will make me happy. I really don't worry about the price.

If it's pleasing to me and cheap, wonderful, if not....who cares, it's only money.

 

[MurfDigler]

You get what you pay for. A car person will get a nice car with leather and all the goodies. Some will just get a running car that goes from point A to point B. I have 8 clownfish pairs. All are designers. I just got a nice pair of Addison's quest and paid a fair price from booyahs reef up near my hometown in Illinois. I've seen people buy onyx clones and they don't turn black. I pay for the quality and get baby that's already nice and black and also got the Addison's quest version that like a Misbar or pisacco pattern on it. Supply and demand.these are beautiful. So much so I ordered more

 

[SteelerMike]

I have to say that my threshold for what I will pay has definitely changed over time. I personally really like designer clownfish but couldn't bring myself to spend the cash. Over time I realzed I was spending an awful lot of money on equipment and suddenly $200 for a pair of snowflakes didn't seem as bad so bought them and they are by far my favorite fish. I still think some corals and other fish are overpriced but if people really like them I now understand it more. I really don't agree with impressing people by having the designer clowns as most people have no idea what makes them designer etc. what I really like is that no 2 fish are alike and the unique patterns is what attracts me. I now have a second pair in another tank and could see myself setting up more tanks so I can have more clowns...I am becoming addicted

 

[Rascalson]

Picasso perculas can be found in the wild, but obviously they are no where near as common as the percula clownfish we term as "normal".

I'm very curious about this. Do any in the wild pictures or footage exist of this?

 

[Ambition]

I'm very curious about this. Do any in the wild pictures or footage exist of this?

I haven't looked, but from my understanding the original Picasso is from the wild. This is unlike how snowflake ocellaris came about, which occurred randomly in a few spawns from pairs of normal ocellaris in the UK. A few of these snowflake patterned ocellaris made their way to the US to breeders, and are now much more common.

 

[Dashylock]

I got my plats for really cheap but I think they sell for about $150 in stores. It is a striking color combo but don't know if I could fork over $300 for a pair.

 

[deangelr]

I'm very curious about this. Do any in the wild pictures or footage exist of this?

here is a chart that shows some of the original WC morphs that have been selective bred to get us some of the designer morphs we see currently..