Just beautiful!!!!!

[Srkoe]

I went to the LFS today and say an mbu for the fist time!!! He was about 14". I've been there so many times and don't know how I missed him as he has been a "permanent resident". He is housed in a huge take with many other fish (don't know what kind). He pressed his beak to the glass when you walk up...it's too cute! The owner fed him a large crayfish so we could watch. He held it in front of the glass and the mbu got so excited. He snatched it right up. All the other fish raced and fought for the left overs and the mbu didn't care. The owner says he's really gentle. He was beautiful and amazing!!! They also had a porcupine, first time seeing one of those as well...I want one so bad now, they are too adorable! This LFS is awesome, pricey but very knowledgable and have amazingly healthy fish, not to mention a huge selection. They have so many difference types of puffers. Today they had f8's, porc, mbu, sap, Fiji orangetail (Toby) and a Fahaka. Which brings me to a question for fahaka owners...how much did you pay for your Fahaka? I feel as though their prices are waaaay too high!!! The 2" fahaka was $50!!!! The 8" porc was $85!!!! I will be getting a fahaka next and don't want to get ripped off.

[JRC3]

Well in contrast to what it cost to house a fahaka if they over charge you $10 for the fish it really doesn't matter.

Especially if it is healthy. You would spend more than that trying to save an unhealthy fish.


I don't have any LFS in my area that house fish or have stock like that.

[Sirpuffsalot]

My buddy just bought a 2" fahaka and he paid $50 as well... i just purchased a congo puffer for $50... I believe that its a reasonable price...

[Srkoe]

Oh, I would not but an unhealthy fish. That just seems expensive to me, but if is the going rate for a healthy Fahaka then I'll pay it. It's the first time I've seen a Fahaka for sale so I have nothing to compare it to. This particular, as awesome as it is is very expensive! For instance, the sell bumblebee gobies for $10 whereas I can get them healthy elsewhere for $5. There is another store that will be getting Fahakas on Wednesday for $20. I've never been there and it's also an hour drive for me. I would just hate to drive there to find it's a crappy store...and leave without a fish. Wednesday doesn't matter though! I have to purchase and cycle a tank first anyways...lol! Just wanna know what sort of price point is "fair".

[Pufferpunk]

2" fahakas around here go for $30-40.

[Srkoe]

Great! So the price point isn't too far fetched!

[geronimo69]

I found my Fahaka in an LFS and he was marked at $50. He was MAYBE 1". Tiny. I offered the manager $40 and he accepted. He's now about 10 months old and about 8". I wouldn't sell him for less than $150.

[RTR]

Unless you are getting something rare and paying a lot extra for that, I'm with J-P. The price of the fish is completely trivial compared to the tank and equipment and the power to operate it all for 10-20 years, plus the food purchase and storage during that period along with the water usage...

You are not buying an ornament fish, you are adopting a new member of the family. At least we don't have to send them to college.

[geronimo69]

Unless you are getting something rare and paying a lot extra for that, I'm with J-P. The price of the fish is completely trivial compared to the tank and equipment and the power to operate it all for 10-20 years, plus the food purchase and storage during that period along with the water usage...

You are not buying an ornament fish, you are adopting a new member of the family. At least we don't have to send them to college.

This is 100% true. My water bill took a nice jump once I started doing weekly water changes on Mufasa's 150 gallon. Once I build a new house, I think I'm going to upgrade him to a 300, so the water bill will be even more fun to deal with.

This is a small commitment compared to the joy I get from hours of watching my Fahaka...

[RTR]

Yup, I have been at penalty water rates a long time. We use too much water by the utility's definition. Between the tanks year-round and the banana beds and deck tropical plats in summer (they stunt seriously if they get thirsty) I'm generally over the line - even though I recycle tank water in summer to the gardens. The main banana bed adds ~$100 to the summer water bill alone. I used only recycled tank water one summer to test it - the poor bananas never got over 10-12 feet, rather than their usual 16-18+ feet.

[FADE2BLACK_1973]

I must had got lucky on the price I payed for my fahaka. 6" total length for $50.00. I wanted him much smaller but he was the only one that a lfs could get their hands on for me. Very active and very healthy looking with no sunking belly or skinny.

[Srkoe]

Well...I will be getting my Fahaka!!!! I'm gonna start a new topic and explain!!! I have some questions!