People Eater, whats so special?

[saltwaternewb]

I think they look great, but why do they cost so much? Rare, hard to propagate, supply and demand? Just curious because I see zoas and palys that IMO look as good or better that can be had for much cheaper. Even at the going prices I still plan on getting a couple different ones, I just want to understand why I am spending so much on them...lol

 

[coral88]

supply and demand and some grow slowly

 

[ReefArtist]

Yes I agree supply and demand but I can tell you they (at least mine) grow very slowly. I have the true Purple People Eaters and I would say the Reds grow at least twice as fast. My Nuclear Greens are growing about 5x faster at this point - go figure. So - slow grower = low supply. I also agree there are many more that are better looking - but you just have to have them in your collection

 

[saltwaternewb]

Yeah, I was trying to avoid them but I keep getting drawn to them every time I come across someones pictures. They will be a later addition to the tank once I know I can take care of some of the less costly ones.

 

[coral88]

Yes I agree supply and demand but I can tell you they (at least mine) grow very slowly. I have the true Purple People Eaters and I would say the Reds grow at least twice as fast. My Nuclear Greens are growing about 5x faster at this point - go figure. So - slow grower = low supply. I also agree there are many more that are better looking - but you just have to have them in your collection

What kind of growth rate are you getting on your NGs?

 

[ficklefins]

What kind of growth rate are you getting on your NGs?

If you feed them regularly they grow very fast, by far the fastest in my tank. So I don't feed them anymore.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Yea the true PPE's grow much slower. Not sure if this should be the cause forhigher prices, but they do grow slow.

 

[FateX8]

sorry for ot but what do you feed and how?
please dont tell me you use a syringe, that just seems like its a lot more work then its work to feed individual polyps with a syringe

 

[Paintguru]

My PPE never grew in 8 mths. Were closed most of the time and they finally just died away. All other polyps are good, besides NGs which spread but never get big.

 

[dieselab]

Because they are a hit or a miss. Frags tend to not ship real well. I had to go through 4 different suppliers before I found one that is healthy. I have them now in med light and med-high flow. They grow much faster than any others paly/zoas I have.

 

[Pufferpunk]

My PDs grow very quickly but still demand a high price.

 

[oceaninabox]

Same old song and dance.......Supply and Demand

 

[reefboy]

Same old song and dance.......Supply and Demand

yep, yep

 

[saltwaternewb]

Same old song and dance.......Supply and Demand

Well, that is what I don't really understand. First I don't understand the demand becsuse there really isn't anything special looking about them. Maybe it is the allure of being able to say you own a $50 per polyp coral? Status symbol? And as far as supply, I see them all over the place for sale so I don't see where there is a supply issue. But I guess as long as folks keeping paying the price then thats what they will continue cost. Some of the other explanations made sense though. Slow growers (in some cases), poor shippers, ect. Anyways, thanks for all the info so far.

 

[coral88]

Same old song and dance.......Supply and Demand

yep, yep

Really because if you would like to sell me a few ppe for half the going rate I would be happy to buy them. But you will not do that because you know others will pay full price(demand) and you don't have enough to sell to all who want them at what ever price they will pay(supply).
So it’s not really a song and dance so much as it is the basic principle on which all free markets operate.

 

[Pufferpunk]

I love PEs, they're my favorite.