What is the #1 reason why you buy a fish?

[Charley]

Is it for the overall beauty?
Specific color?
Rarity?
Potential to breed?
Size?
Behavior?
Eating habits?
Oddity?
Aggressive?
Peaceful?
Recommended?
Ease of care?
Difficulty challenge?
Serves a purpose?
Or...

 

[Gtinnel]

For me I look at if I like the looks of the fish, and I also look at if the fish serves a purpose in the tank, like eating algea or pests. I will buy a fish for either of those but it's even better when it fits into both categories.

ETA- I guess if I could only pick one it would be how the fish looks that I go by mostly.

 

[((FORDTECH))]

Is it for the overall beauty?
Specific color?
Rarity?
Potential to breed?
Size?
Behavior?
Eating habits?
Oddity?
Aggressive?
Peaceful?
Recommended?
Ease of care?
Difficulty challenge?
Or...

To keep nutrient levels up and algae down.

 

[Gtinnel]

To keep nutrient levels up and algae down.

I took the question to mean a specific fish not just fish in general. The nutrient part would be for any fish.

 

[Azedenkae]

Behavior, followed by patterns/color, that's about it.

 

[Mywifeisgunnakillme]

If it's pretty or acts cool, that's the #1 criteria.

If it's compatible with tank mates and corals, or has a decent shot at being compatible, that's #2; the more pretty or cool it acts, the more risk I'll take with it, unless it might go after an existing favorite coral, invert, or fish.

Last, if it has utility such as algae grazing, pest eater, etc.

Luckily, #1 and #3 often go hand and hand..

 

[ying yang]

For me it's fish looks nice,check it's compatability with current and future additions,fish has a purpose eating algae or pests,get fish for different places in tank like rockwork,swims all over or sandbed etc,cuc safe hopefully,don't want price to be to expensive,reef safe or safe-ish as dont want a fish eating/ nipping my corals but saying that I've got coral beauty/cbb/bi colour blenny ^_^

 

[Waters]

Either looks, compatibility, or serves a purpose....depends on what I am looking for at that time.

 

[tautog83]

Something unique that doesnt break the bank . You wont see a clownish , yellow tang or royal gramma in my tanks ever. They're beautiful dont get me wrong but at this point I like to have unique things I've never had before or fish that someone doesnt recognize if they come over. Of course on my poor mans budget lol there isnt that many options and you'll always have something someone else has but that's kinda my mindset . Also like previously stated a utility fish for algae and what . However despite its popularity (lol) I will always have an algae or starry blenny because of their personality

 

[Schraufabagel]

For me, it's:
1. Ease of compatibility with other tank mates (won't eat inverts, corals, non-aggressive)
2. The colors and patterns. I like purple and rainbow fish the most, which is why I have an orchid dottyback

 

[davidcalgary29]

1. Saving it from tank breakdown
2. Availability (a big issue where there is no local livestock)
3. Utility