Most people are very pleased when they buy a big fish tank because they think it will make them happy. It is, however, very expensive to maintain a big fish tank. That is why we have compiled a shortlist of some of the most popular fish that you can buy and how much they cost, so you can have an idea of what type of investments you need to make to maintain a decent sized tank.
Table of Contents
How Much Does Dory Fish Cost?
The first, and probably the most popular and best selling fish in the world is Dory. This fish can cost as much as $25,000 depending on the size. Believe it or not, but this is actually the average price you will pay for a single adult fish. You won’t find the cheapest or most popular Dorys in the market because they are so rare and special. The standard Dory is bright and lively, and they live for up to 10 years with proper care. If you want to add more life to your tank, then getting one of these is a must.
Silver Surfer
Next on our list is the silver surf fish. These are known for their long, silver hair and beautiful bright colors. They can also be quite aggressive and need a lot of space. The cost of a silver surf fish is usually around $12,000, but you will need a minimum of three of them to make sure there is always someone around to guard your tank from harm. One of the most popular suppliers of these fish is known as JBLuffa, and they guarantee fresh and healthy fish every time.
Blue Healer
The blue healer is also quite popular because people are always looking for a new form of therapy. This fish is known for its calming effect on humans and other animals, and it is believed to be able to heal illnesses. It also doesn’t cost very much to purchase a blue healer, usually around $7,000-$8,000. They are relatively easy to raise because they don’t require a lot of space and are very social. Most of their food is given to them by the human handlers, and they will accept cooked food as well.
Puffer Fish
The next most popular fish on our list is the puffer fish. These are mostly known for their sharp teeth and poisonous spines that can kill fairly quickly if not cooked properly The cost of a puffer fish ranges from $5,000-$6,000. They are not a species of fish we recommend for beginners because they are fairly aggressive and can be dangerous if kept in small tanks or ponds. Even though they are poisonous, we do recommend you cook and eat them because they are tasteful and have a subtle flavor. You can also use them to train your cat or dog because they are extremely difficult to handle. We don’t recommend touching or feeding them raw fish because of the risk of contamination.
Red Drum
Moving on to our next most popular (and also most expensive) fish on our list is the red drum. This is another fish that is quite easy to catch because people usually just drag them out of the water with a boat or hook. The cost of a red drum ranges from $4,000-$5,000, and like most fish on this list, they don’t tolerate poorly done cooking well. They are mostly harvested from Southeast Asia and the Pacific Ocean and are quite thick muscle with very little fat. People usually prepare them in a variety of ways, some people like to grill them while others leave them alone. They are, however, easily wiped out by the invasions of fish parasites, and they can also become a host for parasites if not cleaned thoroughly after each meal.
Mermaid Fish
We continue our list with the mermaid fish. These are very similar to the red drum but are much slimmer and longer. They are also more graceful in appearance because of their long flowing hair. The cost of a mermaid ranges from $3,000-$4,000 and they are also quite slow to mature so you will need to buy a couple of them to ensure you have some to breed with. They are quite easy to care for and are also popular with people who like to keep tropical fish because they can look quite realistic swimming around in a tank even though they are actually animated creatures. They are also quite docile fish so you can easily entertain your visitors by showing them how to catch fish and prepare them for food.
Golden Shiner
The golden shiner is another fairly expensive fish that is very popular because people are always looking for an alternative way to get protein into their diets. They are low in fat but high in protein so if you are looking for a type of fish that will keep your aquarium clean then get one of these. The cost of a golden shiner ranges from $2,500-$3,500 and they don’t store fat very well so they can quickly go through it if not cared for properly. They are quite active and need a lot of space so don’t bother having one as a pet unless you have a large pond or outdoor tank available.
Tiger Fish
Finally, we come to our most expensive fish yet, the tiger fish. These are thick muscle with a high tolerance for pollution and chemicals so you can be sure that your aquarium will remain clean without having to adjust the water chemistry. The cost of a tiger fish ranges from $1,500-$2,500, and they are quite easy to find in tropical climates because of their fondness for water tempatures around 74 degrees Fahrenheit. They are quite aggressive towards each other so make sure you don’t get a pair of them in your tank because they will constantly be fighting for dominance. People usually prepare them in a variety of ways, some people like to deep fry them, but it is not recommended you do the same because of the excessive amount of oil that is required.
If you want to buy fish online, then don’t forget about the shipping fees which can add up the total cost of ownership. These are quite expensive to ship so make sure you add that to the cost of the fish itself before purchasing from a foreign website that charges extra for shipping!
Hopefully, this article gave you a good idea of the types of fish you can purchase and how much they cost. Due to their high prices, we don’t recommend getting these types of fish unless you have the financial means to support an expensive hobby.