Looking to get a true black tang

I just wanted to emphasize, especially to newbies that might be reading this thread, that it's not as simple as buying a PS4 for $400 when you can obviously get it for $200 at another place if you just looked. I'm not saying that's what you were saying, exactly, but that tone, even with the explanation, is kind of there. Sorry :) I'd like the average hobbyist that reads a thread like this to understand all the options, the risks, and the value of what you pay for... and not to feel bad or "taken" by it.... if you end up satisfied.
 
SDguy said:
I just wanted to emphasize, especially to newbies that might be reading this thread, that it's not as simple as buying a PS4 for $400 when you can obviously get it for $200 at another place if you just looked. I'm not saying that's what you were saying, exactly, but that tone, even with the explanation, is kind of there. Sorry :) I'd like the average hobbyist that reads a thread like this to understand all the options, the risks, and the value of what you pay for... and not to feel bad or "taken" by it.... if you end up satisfied.
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Well, I did imply/say that when I look around in my area, same fish and inverts are way cheaper than DD. It's a fact and I gave you a very good example.
But I also acknowledged the fact that basic laws of supply and demand are keeping DD/LA in business. You see, I realize that Los Angeles/Orange County areas are the anomaly when it comes to the number of fish stores saturated in one geographic area. Hence the prices are way cheaper. So I am not entirely sure how you inferred the "tone" of me saying "just bc I can get that fish for that much everybody can do it". That's not the case. [emoji2]
 
SDguy said:
I just wanted to emphasize, especially to newbies that might be reading this thread, that it's not as simple as buying a PS4 for $400 when you can obviously get it for $200 at another place if you just looked. I'm not saying that's what you were saying, exactly, but that tone, even with the explanation, is kind of there. Sorry :) I'd like the average hobbyist that reads a thread like this to understand all the options, the risks, and the value of what you pay for... and not to feel bad or "taken" by it.... if you end up satisfied.
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Also, how come your old avatar shows up when I quote you and your new one does not? #weird. [emoji2]
 
CoralsAddiction said:
Well said. In almost all cases it's not worth it.
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CoralsAddiction said:
So I am not entirely sure how you inferred the "tone" of me saying "just bc I can get that fish for that much everybody can do it". That's not the case. [emoji2]
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I guess I misread. Apologies.
innocent0009.gif
 
Peter, I agree with what your saying about the average hobbiest. I just hate to see everyone putting LA/DD as the end all to everything saltwater fish related. The DO have the BEST customer service when it comes to guarantees. Certain places work better for some more than others and it depends on what you as a consumer care about. Everyone wants healthy, cheap livestock with a guarantee. Like Coralsaddiction said, the deals he gets and contacts he has the average hobbiest doesn't unless they have been in the hobby for years and have made contacts for sourcing fish. For someone starting up I would suggest LA to them all day, this thread was about a black long nose and I would hate to see someone spend 800$ on a fish that sells for 350-400$ shipped (or less) quite often
 
the black tang influx has dropped significantly since the summer time "drop".. I was one of the main receivers of blacks during this time and are only getting 1/10 (probably less) than what I was getting in june/july/august. During this time, prices dropped (they were also very small - quarter size if lucky) and you could find them online for 350-400$ pretty regularly.

Now - they are getting bigger (more medium size) which means divers are charging more, which means wholesalers are charging more - yatta yatta. There are also far fewer coming in now from Christmas Island. So expect to see slightly bigger ones at higher prices.

Tahiti also exports quite a bit now, usually larger. Im not sure the price difference from CXI but I think its relatively the same or close. It really depends on how many hands its sees. I get blacks for far less than anyone for the most part, but i'm at the beginning of the chain.

IMO, find a healthy one, and the price wont matter to much. DD may not quarantine their fish, but a conditioned fish is just as good IMO/E. Everyone should QT regardless where it comes from!
 
Thanks for the advice everyone, I am going to be patient :( and see if one become available around the $400-500 mark as the one I can currently buy right now is $800, which is a little to rich for my blood. :wildone:
 
MIDNwill said:
Thanks for the advice everyone, I am going to be patient :( and see if one become available around the $400-500 mark as the one I can currently buy right now is $800, which is a little to rich for my blood. :wildone:
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Where in CA are you? I can point you to a store in SoCal you can pick up a 4-6 inch true black tang for $600. Feel free to PM me.
 
That's what I was thinking. For the money of a black tang I would want to see it in person before deciding to buy so lfs only for me.
 
Just got me a large black tang shipped for $400. Just waiting for my 265 to be finished. LA / DD are definitely ripping you off. But majority of hobbyists are not informed and will pay whatever the price is.
 
usmc1812 said:
Just got me a large black tang shipped for $400. Just waiting for my 265 to be finished. LA / DD are definitely ripping you off. But majority of hobbyists are not informed and will pay whatever the price is.
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They aren't ripping you off, it's based off of their cost.

Lots of divers, especially in Hawaii (get Blacks from Christmas Island) are now selling direct to consumers. So on Hawaiian (US) shipped fish, hobbyists can get great prices on fish direct from the source. Some do come in a bit rough, just be aware of that.

For fish coming from overseas, collectors can't really do this... since most hobbyists won't go through the hoops (permits) it takes to get a fish into the country.

Before Coral Imports I bought a few fish this way... let's say it wasn't a smooth transaction, fish came in rough and a few I didn't order showed up and others I did order weren't shipped.
 
Black tang is unique in that Genus in that their snout is longer than any of the other Zebrasoma tangs.
To answer the original question: look at the snout
 
usmc1812 said:
Just got me a large black tang shipped for $400. Just waiting for my 265 to be finished. LA / DD are definitely ripping you off. But majority of hobbyists are not informed and will pay whatever the price is.
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Pictures?
 
usmc1812 said:
$800.00 is ripping you off. LA /DD wants you to think your getting a great deal.
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They might be paying $400-500 and have to offer a guarantee and include free shipping.

I don't really think that's really ripping you off...
 
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