In the end, I guess value is what you feel it's worth. I've seen a lot of corals of all kinds sell for $100 to 10,000 that I might give 50.00 for if I really wanted it. I could be wrong but, it seems like people willing to pay a large amount for corals are investing in something they can sell later on. I get corals because they're pretty and I like them. If I have extra that I don't need I give them away or trade. I'm willing to pay for them from stores and people who grow them because doing so is work and I can appreciate that.
Now having said all that, I have paid out the nose for a dog that's what I want, bloodline, temperament, type etc. When I competed it was nothing to put down 3-5K on an adolescent prospect and spend 30K showing the animal. Because in the end, I would produce winning animals that people paid equal amounts for. I'm retired from that now, but I won't bat an eye at 2500 for a well bred puppy for myself as a companion because I know what goes into producing that animal.
I don't put coral into that bracket, because well, it can't greet me at the door, play fetch, be a constant companion, and guardian. I feel the same way about fish.
