Why?

[Frxnchie]

Are fish prices going up? Today i went to my lfs and seen a small flame angel for $80 and 2 tiny blue hippo tangs for $80 dollar aswell, i also seen this at a different fish store 3 weeks ago. Usually these fish are in the 25-40$ range. Is this only my fish stores in my area? I live in Michigan.

 

[jaa1456]

Could be that store in particular, maybe they had a big lose and they need to make up the price difference with the fish that survived shipping. Could be where they got them and their prices are higher. All I know is my lfs's is having a ton of specials on fish this weekend. 25 dollar flames, 100 on kick chevron, Achilles and purple tangs.

 

[DustyReefer]

Could also be due to collection of the fish being low, wholesalers will raise the price based on availability. Also as said above the store could be making up for losses. Prices fluctuate all the time, just have to wait for the right time. Plus it doesn't hurt to try and haggle them down a bit

 

[geaux xman]

My LFS prices are up too. LA and DD has been marking their fish prices up as well. lg Lemonpeels that I bought for 30 a few months ago, now goes for 35. lg PBT 80-90, now goes for 110. Maybe they are having to credit so many 14 day fish deaths, so the price increases are needed to cover that.

 

[Ostara]

It seems like nearly all of the wholesaler's prices (and therefore the prices we pay) have risen. I know that Exotic Reef's wholesale prices just rose a little over a month ago as I had their lists at the time. I'm sure there are multiple factors, though I'd imagine that the high fuel costs are partially to blame. More expensive to ship the fish to the wholesaler and then from the wholesaler to the stores... means a lot more markup along the way for us, unfortunately.

 

[Drew707]

Around where I am flames are anywhere from $26-35...$80 is a CRAZY PRICE

 

[reeffreak75]

Nver seen a flame lower than 45 bucks around here...north cal.

 

[humaguy]

a true hawaiian is always more expensive than a non-hawaiian flame...were they hawaiian possibly?
was it an abberent flame? that could also drive up the price...
this "hyper-red" abberent flame just went to South Africa and was sold for big bucks...

 

[Wolverine]

As mentioned, prices do fluctuate, and tend to go up in the fall and winter when the hobby is more popular. In addition to that, I'm willing to bet that transportation/shipping costs have gone up quite a bit (look at gas prices in CA, where most of the wholesalers are based); that difference is starting to come downstream.
It's been discussed here before, but I don't think it's a bad thing for fish to be more expensive.

 

[sponger0]

I would also say fuel prices are very much going to contribute to that. For one if they are WC, the fuel for boats...which ive heard isnt cheap and also transporting them from one location to the next. And shipping prices Im sure they increase.

 

[Frxnchie]

Nope it was just a regular flame angel.