Gem Tang how much!!!!!

djrab52 · 07/19/2006, 07:09 PM

Are Gem Tangs really this expensive???????

http://www.marinecenter.com/fish/tangs/gemtang/

I know they are rare, but oh my gosh!!!!!

CompNrdCR · 07/19/2006, 07:20 PM

hrm.... 2999....

Looks like it is "Rare" fish...

http://www.saltcorner.com/sections/z.../Zgemmatum.htm

masterqaz · 07/19/2006, 09:42 PM

well when im rich i think i'll buy one of those....lol i'll also put it in my 10000 gallon reef system....

t34418l3fit · 07/19/2006, 09:58 PM

i'll take two!!!

CeeGee · 07/19/2006, 10:27 PM

marine center is waaaaaaaaaaay overpriced on everything. They are indeed rare in the trade but I guarantee someone else can get them much cheaper though they would still be pricey.

affan · 07/19/2006, 10:30 PM

I've seen Gem Tangs at LFS's for under 1k. I maybe mistaken, but I think Habib of Salifert has got one of these.

Peter Eichler · 07/19/2006, 11:15 PM

I can recall seeing a couple for around $500 years ago. This was when Purple and Sohal tangs were very pricey as well and ran in the hundreds. Prices have skyrocketed for certain fish and others have gotten cheaper or stayed the same.

WARNING: whineyness and self pity to follow.

It makes me sick what I lost during a power outage while I was out of town years ago. Most notably 300+lbs of Samoan live rock that you wouldn't have believed. The tank started to smell and my stepfather thought putting bleach in it would be OK and make the smell go away since everything was dead anyways...

McCrary · 07/20/2006, 12:28 AM

I have never seen one available. Most people who have them seem to get them out of germany and the netherlands.

xtm · 07/20/2006, 12:52 AM

I bought one to cycle my nanocube

RichConley · 07/20/2006, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by CeeGee
marine center is waaaaaaaaaaay overpriced on everything. They are indeed rare in the trade but I guarantee someone else can get them much cheaper though they would still be pricey.

There not way overpriced on EVERYTHING..just most things. THeres a couple of fish on there where they are much cheaper than live aquaria.

FishNutzBoi · 07/20/2006, 08:06 AM

I want a school of gem tangs when i grow up. Maybe 1 male and 6 females

xtrstangx · 07/20/2006, 09:37 AM

Overpriced.

Gem tangs can be as low as $300-ish.

CeeGee · 07/20/2006, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by xtm
I bought one to cycle my nanocube

you did that too?

They are great for cycling. After my tank was finished cycling I removed the fish laid it on it's side and poured liquid ammonia into it's gills. It absolutely loved it. I now just fill the styrofoam cup it lives in with ammonia and the fish couldn't be happier. I hardly ever have to do an ammonia change either which is good for the old wallet.

copps · 07/20/2006, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by xtrstangx
Overpriced.

Gem tangs can be as low as $300-ish.

While $3000 is a record for a gem tang, they've never gone for that low. They usually hover around the $1000 range, but are almost never available... The last time the Marine Center had them years ago I remember them being $1800... but regardless these will sell simply do to supply demand... they have a huge customer base with lots of money and with only about a half dozen gems coming in on this trip they will sell, even if they have to sit on them a bit... There is just one licensed collector of these last I knew in Mauritius... and he knows it...

Copps

marinelife · 07/20/2006, 10:41 AM

I have seen them locally for $300-ish

copps · 07/20/2006, 10:55 AM

What local store was this and when? Are you sure you're not thinking of a jewel tang? The cost from Mauritius before shipping or ANY markup was in that range, and that was when they were more available years ago...

GSchiemer · 07/20/2006, 12:24 PM

I'm with John on this. You're not buying, nor have you ever seen, a gem tang for $300.

These fish are endemic to the Southern Indian Ocean around Madagascar and there is a single collector. They almost never appear in the US. Any that are collected typically go to Europe.

As for the price, you can't criticize Marine Center. If you don't like their price, go but it elsewhere.

copps · 07/20/2006, 12:59 PM

Thanks Greg... again many people confuse jewel tangs and gem tangs, which go for much less money, but are still uncommon in the trade (but very common in the wild). Maybe that was their mistake. It's tough to even get the second rarest Zebrasoma species (Z. rostratum- the black tang) nowadays in the $300 range. Although found in Madagascar, there are no permits for Z. gemmatum there, which leaves the guy in Mauritius... they're apparently very uncommon throughout their range... We need to get that outfit in Hwaii that's bred yellow tangs a pair of these gems... hmm... Anyway, here's a map of Mauritius and Madacascar in the Western Indian Ocean to show their range...

Other rarities that come out of Mauritius are A. chrysogaster clowns... here's a shot of a group from a local friend... these are also uberrare

Also Centropyge debelius comes out of Mauritius, which make gem tangs look common and go for $5000 plus if you could ever get a wild one... Luckily good old Frank Baensch of RCT has successfully bred these , although not updated on his site yet... I saw his wild pair last year and WOW... anyway, don't think that just because they're now captive bred they're cheap... on top of their rarity not many have been produced... Here's a shot of two of the CB debelius...

spoiledcats · 07/20/2006, 01:08 PM

Why are these fish so very expensive? Are they rare in the wild? And if they are, why are we taking them out of the ocean? Even if they only come from one place, shouldn't we leave them there?

copps · 07/20/2006, 01:14 PM

The quota on this species is arund 100 a year, and while uncommon, their range is large relative to other rarities... Combine this with their remoteness, the fact that there is one collector, the headaches of receiving a shipment from Mauritius, and you get the resultant high price... Many of these go to Europe and just a handful show up in the states a year... that combines to make a high price... supply and demand... There are many fish that go for more than this...

Regardless, the impact of collecting one specimen every three days on average is nothing...

Rare in the wild and rare in the industry are two different things...

Biggie · 07/20/2006, 01:19 PM

Huh, I think Ive eaten one these as sushi in Japan back in the 80's .....

McCrary · 07/20/2006, 03:40 PM

If I had an extra $3000 I would buy the tang, just because I want one. Who knows when the next time they will be available again and how much they will be then?

GSchiemer · 07/20/2006, 04:47 PM

I just don't understand the wild interest in certain rare fish, such as the Gem Tang. I guess it's just for the bragging rights. I've seen these in aquariums on many occasions (just recently in London) and have to say that it's probably the homeliest of the Zebrasoma species. The juveniles are somewhat cute but the adults are nothing to look at. If they were common and cheap, there would be virtually no interest in them on the part of aquarium hobbyists.

Greg

GSchiemer · 07/20/2006, 04:49 PM

Delete

thor32766 · 07/20/2006, 05:00 PM

if i could afford it i would buy one, some people collect cars, watches, homes, boats. its no differant collecting fish.

07/19/2006, 07:09 PM	#1
djrab52 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Philly Posts: 217	Gem Tang how much!!!!! Are Gem Tangs really this expensive??????? http://www.marinecenter.com/fish/tangs/gemtang/ I know they are rare, but oh my gosh!!!!! __________________ 385G main, 120G sump/refugium Current Tank Info: Started a 150G reef.

07/19/2006, 07:20 PM	#2
CompNrdCR Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 193	hrm.... 2999.... Looks like it is "Rare" fish... http://www.saltcorner.com/sections/z.../Zgemmatum.htm __________________ 8 years salt so far... 65 Gal Reef Tank Feels So Small But The GF Won't Let Me Go Bigger! Current Tank Info: 65 Gal Reef Tank

07/19/2006, 10:27 PM	#5
CeeGee Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: TN Posts: 3,272	marine center is waaaaaaaaaaay overpriced on everything. They are indeed rare in the trade but I guarantee someone else can get them much cheaper though they would still be pricey. __________________ My algae WAS special. Current Tank Info: 75 gallon display, 40 gallon breeder sump, RLSS R6i, ATI Powermodule, Apex, Ecotech MP40's

07/19/2006, 11:15 PM	#7
Peter Eichler Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 6,081	I can recall seeing a couple for around $500 years ago. This was when Purple and Sohal tangs were very pricey as well and ran in the hundreds. Prices have skyrocketed for certain fish and others have gotten cheaper or stayed the same. WARNING: whineyness and self pity to follow. It makes me sick what I lost during a power outage while I was out of town years ago. Most notably 300+lbs of Samoan live rock that you wouldn't have believed. The tank started to smell and my stepfather thought putting bleach in it would be OK and make the smell go away since everything was dead anyways... __________________ April 2015 TOTM

07/20/2006, 12:28 AM	#8
McCrary Can't Stop Time Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,079	I have never seen one available. Most people who have them seem to get them out of germany and the netherlands. __________________ Matt Patience is the best remedy for every trouble. Titus Maccius Plautus (254 BC - 184 BC), Rudens

07/19/2006, 09:42 PM	#3
masterqaz Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Oakville Ont. Canada Posts: 551	well when im rich i think i'll buy one of those....lol i'll also put it in my 10000 gallon reef system....

07/19/2006, 09:58 PM	#4
t34418l3fit Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: gainesville, fl Posts: 52	i'll take two!!!

07/19/2006, 10:30 PM	#6
affan Moved On Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: From NYC, currently serving time in Hattiesburg, MS Posts: 1,125	I've seen Gem Tangs at LFS's for under 1k. I maybe mistaken, but I think Habib of Salifert has got one of these.

07/20/2006, 12:52 AM	#9
xtm Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Panorama City, CA Posts: 4,703	I bought one to cycle my nanocube __________________ Function before fashion Current Tank Info: 120g SPS Tank (48x24x24)

07/20/2006, 08:06 AM	#11
FishNutzBoi Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 541	I want a school of gem tangs when i grow up. Maybe 1 male and 6 females __________________ I'm one of those reefnutz that are actually nutz. Current Tank Info: 8G Biocube, 70W SunPod, Koralia nano + Maxijet900: Mixed Reef with SPS's and no softies.

07/20/2006, 09:37 AM	#12
xtrstangx Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Shawnee, Kansas Posts: 4,568	Overpriced. Gem tangs can be as low as $300-ish.

07/20/2006, 10:41 AM	#15
marinelife Registered Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Union, Ohio, USA Posts: 6,590	I have seen them locally for $300-ish __________________ I'm a SaltGeek are You? All LED since 2010. Current Tank Info: 375 Gallon Reef with siporax, all LED lighting, and Red Dragon 3 and Abyzz A200 on 2 closed loops.

07/20/2006, 10:55 AM	#16
copps Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Northern VA Posts: 2,679	What local store was this and when? Are you sure you're not thinking of a jewel tang? The cost from Mauritius before shipping or ANY markup was in that range, and that was when they were more available years ago... __________________ - John Coppolino September '04 RC TOTM January '11 RC TOTM Buy fish that excite YOU, and respect others' passions. Yes, we know, there's a cheaper and prettier fish than the one we’re talking about. Current Tank Info: displays are 1300 gallon SPS (8.5' x 6' x 42"), 240 gallon anemone, and 350 gallon fish only

07/20/2006, 12:24 PM	#17
GSchiemer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 879	I'm with John on this. You're not buying, nor have you ever seen, a gem tang for $300. These fish are endemic to the Southern Indian Ocean around Madagascar and there is a single collector. They almost never appear in the US. Any that are collected typically go to Europe. As for the price, you can't criticize Marine Center. If you don't like their price, go but it elsewhere.

07/20/2006, 12:59 PM	#18
copps Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Northern VA Posts: 2,679	Thanks Greg... again many people confuse jewel tangs and gem tangs, which go for much less money, but are still uncommon in the trade (but very common in the wild). Maybe that was their mistake. It's tough to even get the second rarest Zebrasoma species (Z. rostratum- the black tang) nowadays in the $300 range. Although found in Madagascar, there are no permits for Z. gemmatum there, which leaves the guy in Mauritius... they're apparently very uncommon throughout their range... We need to get that outfit in Hwaii that's bred yellow tangs a pair of these gems... hmm... Anyway, here's a map of Mauritius and Madacascar in the Western Indian Ocean to show their range... Other rarities that come out of Mauritius are A. chrysogaster clowns... here's a shot of a group from a local friend... these are also uberrare Also Centropyge debelius comes out of Mauritius, which make gem tangs look common and go for $5000 plus if you could ever get a wild one... Luckily good old Frank Baensch of RCT has successfully bred these , although not updated on his site yet... I saw his wild pair last year and WOW... anyway, don't think that just because they're now captive bred they're cheap... on top of their rarity not many have been produced... Here's a shot of two of the CB debelius... __________________ - John Coppolino September '04 RC TOTM January '11 RC TOTM Buy fish that excite YOU, and respect others' passions. Yes, we know, there's a cheaper and prettier fish than the one we’re talking about. Current Tank Info: displays are 1300 gallon SPS (8.5' x 6' x 42"), 240 gallon anemone, and 350 gallon fish only

07/20/2006, 01:08 PM	#19
spoiledcats Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Lehigh Valley Posts: 622	Why are these fish so very expensive? Are they rare in the wild? And if they are, why are we taking them out of the ocean? Even if they only come from one place, shouldn't we leave them there?

07/20/2006, 01:14 PM	#20
copps Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Northern VA Posts: 2,679	The quota on this species is arund 100 a year, and while uncommon, their range is large relative to other rarities... Combine this with their remoteness, the fact that there is one collector, the headaches of receiving a shipment from Mauritius, and you get the resultant high price... Many of these go to Europe and just a handful show up in the states a year... that combines to make a high price... supply and demand... There are many fish that go for more than this... Regardless, the impact of collecting one specimen every three days on average is nothing... Rare in the wild and rare in the industry are two different things... __________________ - John Coppolino September '04 RC TOTM January '11 RC TOTM Buy fish that excite YOU, and respect others' passions. Yes, we know, there's a cheaper and prettier fish than the one we’re talking about. Current Tank Info: displays are 1300 gallon SPS (8.5' x 6' x 42"), 240 gallon anemone, and 350 gallon fish only

07/20/2006, 01:19 PM	#21
Biggie Moved On Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 785	Huh, I think Ive eaten one these as sushi in Japan back in the 80's .....

07/20/2006, 03:40 PM	#22
McCrary Can't Stop Time Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,079	If I had an extra $3000 I would buy the tang, just because I want one. Who knows when the next time they will be available again and how much they will be then? __________________ Matt Patience is the best remedy for every trouble. Titus Maccius Plautus (254 BC - 184 BC), Rudens

07/20/2006, 04:47 PM	#23
GSchiemer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 879	I just don't understand the wild interest in certain rare fish, such as the Gem Tang. I guess it's just for the bragging rights. I've seen these in aquariums on many occasions (just recently in London) and have to say that it's probably the homeliest of the Zebrasoma species. The juveniles are somewhat cute but the adults are nothing to look at. If they were common and cheap, there would be virtually no interest in them on the part of aquarium hobbyists. Greg

07/20/2006, 04:49 PM	#24
GSchiemer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 879	Delete

07/20/2006, 05:00 PM	#25
thor32766 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Chuluota, FL Posts: 6,072	if i could afford it i would buy one, some people collect cars, watches, homes, boats. its no differant collecting fish. __________________ "Live your life so no one has to lie about who you were at your funeral" click on my red house to see my tang compound! Current Tank Info: 29 gallon in Wall!