For you Central American Cichlid owners...what do you go for? Quality or quantity or bargains?

well...it all depends on who you are....a fishkeeper or an enthusist.........and theres a big difference between the two.

Newbies would usually go for quantity and bargains...hey i was there before but 25 years down the road, i have learn the Hard Way...theres no such thing as special formulas to turn a bargain buy into a show fish. TO HOPE your bargain buy will be a champion is like grooming a Donkey to race at the Kentucky Derby...it Never happen!

a 3 inch vieja species could be bought at rm5 at the LFS, while the same 3 inch species is sold at rm30 at the private collectors/breeders. why?
Many think they know all theres to know about cichlids yet they still go for rm5 bargains....and bitch at the high price collectors are offering....it just show how little they know about Quality.
Collectors/breeders are Not stupid...of course they know LFS are selling at rm5..but their market target are not fishkeepers but enthusist...people who know their stuffs and how important quality is.

An enthusist would know its a waste of time and effort to keep bargain buys...just compare a top fish and a bargain two years later, you would understand why an enthusist rather fork out the extra buck. commercial wise the value of the top fish has turn from rm30 3inch juvenile to a rm300 10inch adult, while the bargain rm5 will remain at rm5....even at 14inch

The other day i got some Blackbelts from Joe CC. at first glance they look pretty odinary, but later on that night, as the colours appear i was surprise , this is something i havent seen for a long time in Malaysia. Thick straight bands and a touch of hue..Yup ...this batch of blackbelt is a good breed line. i call up joe, well he thought i wanted my money back coz he knew how fussy i was with qualilty...instead i ask him ...Tailkor ..ini ikan ada lagi ah?

Its not everyday you come across a good breed line...if you are a blackbelt fan...do get some of this batch from joe, its a good buy.
i dont usually praise, but when a praise is due,it would be praised.

Warning...BlackBelts are not an easy fish to handle...get some advice before you try this fish....but then who wants to keep an easy fish!

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