Why is a Zebra Plec like a bank account?

[dave]

Well two tank, I commend your approach, I also share your concerns.

Nothing to add.

Dave

[crazie.eddie]

Hmmm. I read through most of the posts on this thread and it looks as though there are a few people who share my ideas. Looks like not everyone who intends to breed zebras are strictly for profit. I hope to eventually breed zebras and sell them at very low costs. But the problem is, how to stop people from turning around and selling them at double or tripple my cost. My only idea is to sell them individually. If I sell a colony, then there's a possiblity that the colony will eventually be raised, bred, and sold for the current market value. I would probably sell them first to people locally and maybe keep a database of all the customers I've sold it to. Also some kind of contract stating that they will not sell the pleco to any persons or groups at a certain percentage above my costs. This contract would only be binding after a few years (Statue of limitation). The database I created would be public record. If any persons found to sell one of my zebras, a fine, plus the retrieval of my zeb from that individual. Also, what would help is, if another buyer (call him Joe) found that one of my customers (call him Bob) is selling my zebra at a higher costs, then Bob would get fined and I would retrive my zebra from him. Then Joe will receive that zebra for FREE as a reward.

The only problem I have at the moment is currently unemployed (working odd jobs to pay bills), so I can only afford a young zebra every few months. My current stock is only 2 young zebs (about 1.5"), so hopefully, in a few years, I will have a breeding stock.

At least there are a few of us with similar intentions. Maybe we should all form an organization to help drive zebra pleco prices down?

[rhino]

I have been trying to get my local petstore to get zebra plecos but they say they cant.Its sad when a LFS cant afford to buy the more exotic fish. They can hardly even stay open due to the cheap prices of large chains.I find myself paying alot more for items just to help support the local store.My idea was to breed and give the fry to the local store as long as they didnt charge outrageous prices.I have talked to alot of poeple who want zebra plecos but cant afford them.This way all those who cant afford them will be able to share in our love of them.Sorry if I sound crazy, but this is my idea.

[crazie.eddie]

Yeah, this is why I plan to establish a breeding colony and hopefully have them breed. I plan to sell them at a very low cost to people who wanted to have a zebra, but couldn't because of them being so expensive.

My goal...
1. Get a breeding pair, sell their offspring for at least $50 (USD).
2. Sell only 1 zebra per customer in accordance to a contract, that they don't sell the zebra to any other persons within 2 years. The reason for this is so they don't profit from my cheap sell.
3. If I get 2 or more breeding pairs, then I can sell the offspring for at least $25 (USD).

This is my goal.

[rhino]

Well crazy.eddie,sounds like we have the same goal.But the first step for me is to get some zebra plecos.I would like to set up a breeding tank for this purpose.If all works well,maybe I could get the LFS to donate some of their profits here.

[Barbie]

Sounds like a great plan, if your only worry is that people get some zebras, not perpetuating the species. Since they're endangered and need a concentrated effort towards conservation, it seems a bit short sighted to focus on only letting collectors that don't intend to work with them have your fry, no?

Barbie

[crazie.eddie]

Well crazy.eddie,sounds like we have the same goal.But the first step for me is to get some zebra plecos.I would like to set up a breeding tank for this purpose.If all works well,maybe I could get the LFS to donate some of their profits here.

I'm working on it. I'm low on funds, so I'm buying the zebras 1 at a time. I have 2 already. It would be great if these bred when they get to be adults, but that would be pure luck. Anyways, I'm planning to buy a few more. I already have a 40 gallon breeder (thanks to Petco's tank sale), extra filter, just need breeding caves and more zebras.

[rhino]

Sounds like a great plan, if your only worry is that people get some zebras, not perpetuating the species. Since they're endangered and need a concentrated effort towards conservation, it seems a bit short sighted to focus on only letting collectors that don't intend to work with them have your fry, no?

Barbie

Yes,I guess that is a bit short sighted.Sorry.You'll have to forgive me.I am new to the community and a bit overwhelmed.But how would I distinguish between those who have the same interest and those who would buy just to resell at a higher price?That is why I had the idea of working with my LFS.They know the customers and thier intensions better than I would.In my excitement I overlooked the fact that they are endagered and conservation is the main goal.Getting my children involved in something like this will be a great life lesson.

Thanks for opening my eyes Barbie.

[Barbie]

There are a lot of affordable fish out there that are good to work with, to be honest. Zebras are a neat fish, but the initial investment in both time and money can be prohibitive. I get frustrated by the threads complaining about the price due to the problems I've personally had the times I dropped the price to help someone out. When it backfires enough times, it's pretty frustrating to then have people be disparaging about more people not giving THEM a deal. Everyone wants something handed to them cheaper and anyone that doesn't jump to do it is an evil, greedy person. That's not necessarily true. The price of these fish is just simply what it is. If the price of zebras is so unreasonable, why don't people just go try one of the other 400 species of plecos out there? Some look very similar and should be just as easy or difficult to spawn.

Oh, and btw Eddie, make sure you check the label on your 40 gallon tank. Usually Petco's 40 gallon breeders are actually terrariums and say right on the label not to fill it clear up with water.

Barbie

[rhino]

There are a lot of affordable fish out there that are good to work with, to be honest. Zebras are a neat fish, but the initial investment in both time and money can be prohibitive. I get frustrated by the threads complaining about the price due to the problems I've personally had the times I dropped the price to help someone out. When it backfires enough times, it's pretty frustrating to then have people be disparaging about more people not giving THEM a deal. Everyone wants something handed to them cheaper and anyone that doesn't jump to do it is an evil, greedy person. That's not necessarily true. The price of these fish is just simply what it is. If the price of zebras is so unreasonable, why don't people just go try one of the other 400 species of plecos out there? Some look very similar and should be just as easy or difficult to spawn.

Barbie

I understand where you are coming from Barbie.BUT....what about those of us who would truely love to share in the enjoyment of breeding zebs.If it would help me get involed at all,I would give you the young zebs from my breeding and let you decide how to distribute them among other people who wish to have them.Hopefully to those who have never had the oppertunity to have them.As you said yourself,they are endangered and need a concentrated effort towards conservation.I would love to be a part of that.

[crazie.eddie]

True the initial investment may not be worth it, but as with any business, you typically do not make money the first year. If I get my breeding stock with offspring, I'm not planning to make it a very lucerative business where I can retire from it. I want to sell zebras to those who love plecos.

People sell zebras at the market price, becuase they know people will buy them at that price. It's rather strange though. There are allot more rarer species of plecos out there NOT coming close to the cost of a tank raised zebra. Tank raised or wild, they seem to be sold at the same price.

Oh, and btw Eddie, make sure you check the label on your 40 gallon tank. Usually Petco's 40 gallon breeders are actually terrariums and say right on the label not to fill it clear up with water.

Barbie

Thanks, I checked and it has the All-Glass aquarium sticker on it and nowhere does it say not to fill with water.

[dave]

Sounds like a great plan, if your only worry is that people get some zebras, not perpetuating the species. Since they're endangered and need a concentrated effort towards conservation, it seems a bit short sighted to focus on only letting collectors that don't intend to work with them have your fry, no?

Barbie

This thread now seems to be diversifying but the mention of conservation.

Well I proposed a Zoo project which is going on, Rob offered support with fish, support from a couple of other sources and one negative, maybe not negative but dismissive.

I advocated a boycott of sources who are known to be importing wild fish.
No response.

Now this site is encouraging the captive breeding with a great deal of success which in turn relieves the pressure on the Wild Stock.

We have to accept the fact that the £, $ or Yen rules the world, and that people will buy specimen fish with no intention of breeding.

Taking the above into account I believe this site benefits the fish, but we could do more.

I for one while understanding the pitfalls of selling fish below the current market rate, and here I have to exercise judgement and yes I may get stung every now and again, believe it is the right approach.

In saying this, I will not level any criticism of people who sell at higher prices, individuals have personal circumstances which may dictate their asking price, asd mentioned the initial purchase may be considerable.

If anybody is breeding this fish, they are reducing demand on the wild population.

Dave

[McEve]

True the initial investment may not be worth it, but as with any business, you typically do not make money the first year. If I get my breeding stock with offspring, I'm not planning to make it a very lucerative business where I can retire from it.

Wether you're planning it or not, I'd like to see the average home breeder making money on breeding Zebs.

Hands up all those on this forum that has manage to make money from breeding Zebras.

Mine is down.

Angels on the other hand - wohoo. You want to get on the plus financially, go for Angels! But not Zebras.....

[crazie.eddie]

I can see the trend where more people will be losing money. Becuase as the trend goes, people have been increasing the price of the zebs. What happens when the zebs reach $1000 (USD)? Will anyone want to buy them anymore? I'm sure the average home owner couldn't afford it. Only the very rich would be able to afford such a rare species. But the funny thing is, by that time, there would be SO MANY zebra plecos out there, they would no longer be a rare species. In fact, I don't even think they should be even be considered as a rare species anymore, since there are so many zebra pleco breeders out there already.

I'm surprised people don't sell them to their local zoos/aquariums.

[Jojoyojimbi]

In fact, I don't even think they should be even be considered as a rare species anymore, since there are so many zebra pleco breeders out there already.

I'm surprised people don't sell them to their local zoos/aquariums.

How many nonhobbyists realize how rare they are? How many people know how rare the panda is though, or the tiger?

face it, fish aren't going to get a lot of attention outside of fish fans