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Onyx Clown grades/Prices (1 Viewer)

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mpageler

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Going through the tank cycling phase now but when it comes to stocking a pair of clowns later on, my wife and I have agreed that we really like Onyx clowns. Have been researching various forums, including TCMAS, to get calibrated on the various grades/prices of Onyx. Seems like $200 plus for a pair that has good pattern/banding and promise of developing the black color, is kind of a starting point?
Here’s an online breeder who’s selling pairs like this one, in the $240 range. In my limited comparison so far, they appears to be really nice Onlx and are priced accordingly? This dealer also carries a grade in the $190/pair range and I can tell the different in not have quite the uniform banding.

I notice that SWE had Onyx earlier this year but at the time, didn’t pay much attention on what the quality was… pricing I believe $90/each clowns.

As far as the spring/fall TCMAS expos, are there really nice Onyx for sale. Did see mention of Bones Reefs as a source for Onyx and appear to be a local breeder?

Thanks
Mike
 

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I bought a pair from a local breeder for $50 a piece 3 years ago, they were perfect at the time (the female's black has faded since), but since then the prices have increased and today it seems fair to buy them at $100 each.
 
There is no real grading of onyx clownfish. There is mainly two type and they are the full bar(has 3 full white bar) and the mis-bar(does NOT have the 3 full white bar). Full bar cost more vs. the mis-bar. Now the onyx definition will vary from ppl to ppl. According to C-quest, the onyx is a clownfish that has it's top dorsal fins black and black between the white bars. There is no guarantee that the young clownfishs that were bred from onyx will be onyx. There is only one person i know that use to guarantee his onyx color and it's booyah. I don't know if he still guarantee his onyx color but he will be at the spring expo. If you want a nice onyx clown; you should look for the body shape first and then color. People are all caught in the hype about color and forget that the body shape is just as important. LFS that sell onyx include discovery aquatic, SWE, and petco mntk ($100 for full bar & $50 for mis-bar). I have bought at least 6 onyx from petco mntk and they have all turned out nice. I no longer have all 6 but kept the best one of the group to pair with my wild female onyx. GL on your quest to find your perfect onyx. Expect to pay more for breeding pairs.
 
Yes, Booyah's does give a color guarantee on his fish. Last time I heard they were $100/pair ($50/fish). It looks like from the vendor list, he'll be at the spring swap.
 
Good point in looking at the body. I'm in the koi hobby and the rule is the same there. Look at confirmation first, then quality of skin/color and lastly, the pattern.

Caught some threads on Booyah's Onyx and was wondering if they hit the expos since I believe they are located in Illinois?
 
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Body shape is first and foremost with any fish for me, especially clowns. If you want nice, high quality onyx go through more of a small time breeder as many of the clowns coming from ORA, SA, etc have poor body shape.

Some one earlier hit the nail on the head as far as there not really being grades, so much as barring.

Also, do you plan on breeding these at all? If you do, I'd highly suggest going for WC onyx.
 
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