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Thread: Our very first gathering

  1. #1
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    Our very first gathering

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    Hi, folks,

    I have some good news for you all. I talked to Karin Leow the other day and she's agreeable to the idea of letting us use her fish shop as a meeting place. Karin's shop which is called Far East Aquatic is located somewhere along Simon Road and its less than a 5 minute walk from Kovan MRT station. Here's the address:

    Far East Aquatic
    23 Simon Road
    Singapore 545909
    Tel: 6383 3733

    Karin's shop has 2 storeys, the higher of which has a living room, a kitchen and 2 bedrooms. In her living room which Karin has converted to some sort of a lounge for hobbyists to hang out, there are 3 display tanks. It's also air-conditioned so it's an ideal place for us to gather.

    For those of you who know Karin, I'm sure you can vouch that she's one of the friendliest fish shop owners around. I've known her for many years from the days when she had a farm in Tampines Fish Farm Road.

    The date has been set. The gathering will take place on the 29th of November (Saturday) at 4 pm. Karin will be providing refreshment and maybe some food. I didn't want to impose on her too much so when she asked me if she should provide food too, I told her drinks would be enough.

    On the day of the gathering, I hope many of you will bring your excess fish, eggs or plants there and sell them through Karin to other hobbyists. I've already spoke to Au and Sia Meng and they have both promised to bring many exotic species of killies there. I myself will bring some Erect Moss and several stalks of the Downoi.

    I'm afraid I have to tell you all that you are not allowed to carry out trades/exchanges in Karin's shop. This is because it would be unfair to her. On the actual day, Karin will set up small tanks and display your fish on her shelves. She will collect the money on your behalf and pack the fish for those who buy them. In return, she will take a 30% cut from the selling price. For eggs, there's less work involved so Karin will take only a 20% cut. For plants, her margin will be 50%. The margin is higher for plants because Karin herself has many aquatic plants for sale so it would be ridiculous if she sells your plants and not her own. In any case, I believe I will be the only person to sell plants on the actual day as I'm the only one around with plants that no one else has. This is your chance to own a Downoi or the Erect Moss so be there early.

    If the items you bring are unsold at the end of the day, you will have to bring them home. But I'm sure you can make some private arrangements with Karin and leave the items in her shop for her to sell to other customers. The percentages will be different of course as Karin would have to bear the risk of the fish dying before they could be sold. Traditionally, fish shops make a margin of at least 70%. In other words, if a shop buys a fish for $3, they will sell it for $10. For Lou Hans and other fish, the margins could sometimes be in the region of several hundred per cent.

    I hope all of you will attend the gathering and help make it a success. If things work out well, we can hold such gatherings regularly. Besides getting to meet each other face-to-face, the gathering will also serve as a chance for us to buy/sell killifish and related products.

    It will be a win-win situation for all. For those who have excess killies, this is your chance to recover some of the money you have spent on them. For those who are looking to own new species, this is your chance to buy them. As for Karin herself, she can make some money and if many attend the gathering, her shop will become more well known.

    It's important that everyone co-operates and not try to make "outside deals" on their own. If on the actual day, Karin or any of us finds out that you are selling fish, eggs or plants outside her premises without her knowledge, it will spoil everything and chances are we won't be holding such gatherings anymore. You are free to make arrangements to buy/sell your stuff with others on other days of course. But please take note that both Au and Sia Meng have told me that until the gathering, they will be suspending all sales of their killies.

    If you have any opinions/suggestions, please feel free to voice them here. Thank you.

    Loh K L

  2. #2
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    Perfect for me. I can start to stock up killifish!

    As for plants, I will keep some for that day. Mainly Ludwigia Brevipes (semi-rare plant) and Blyxa Japonica. I will pass all sales monies to Karin, after-all, it's not much. So...it's going to be a good bargain for those interested. :wink:

  3. #3
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    Hi all,

    err, frankly all my exotic species are still in eggs form. Thus most of you might not be able to see it on that day.

    I had just rescape 1 of my planted tank and took some photogarphs of male Simp. picturatus. I believe Au will be bringing only 1 pair of this fish. I have no idea if this fish will be available for sale or for your eyes only as females are really rare.
    Simp. picturatus

    Enjoy the photographs

    regards
    Gwee Sia Meng
    AKA 08742
    SAA 163
    Fish List

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    Hi Sia Meng,
    Please show us your revamped planted tank also. It must be beautiful with those Tonina Sp plant. Your Simp. picturatus is very beautiful also

    I got nothing to offer for the gathering but I will definately take some spare time to go there. Hope to get some Erect moss there and see all of you there.

    Timebomb, do you have a photo of Downoi? Can't seem to find it anywhere in web include tropica, AQ etc.

    Thank,

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by gweesm1
    err, frankly all my exotic species are still in eggs form. Thus most of you might not be able to see it on that day.
    So what do we have in the goodies bag? Which species and when's the wetting date?

    I had just rescape 1 of my planted tank and took some photogarphs of male Simp. picturatus. I believe Au will be bringing only 1 pair of this fish. I have no idea if this fish will be available for sale or for your eyes only as females are really rare.
    Very nice! Good luck with the Simps and let me know when extra eggs are available. Can't wait to see the real thing.
    I'm back & keeping 'em fingers wet,
    Ronnie Lee

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by fc
    I will pass all sales monies to Karin, after-all, it's not much. So...it's going to be a good bargain for those interested. :wink:
    For those who want to give away their stuff free to other hobbyists, I suggest you give them to Karin and I will ask her to sell it at a discount. I hope you all understand that hobbyists amongst themselves can give away things for free to each other but fish shop owners have rents to pay so they have to make some profits.

    It's important to us that we look after Karin's interests as well because if we don't, she may not let us use her fish shop as a meeting place in future. I like to tell you all a story about this:

    In the old days, when there was only a handful of guys growing aquatic plants in their tanks, we used to meet at the coffee shop next to the fish shop at Block 328 Clementi Ave 2. In those days, we meet quite often on almost every Saturday and we would bring plants to exchange or give to each other.

    If you have been to the Clementi fish shop, you would know they have a wide range of products for sale. They are also one of the few fish shops to have many species of rare fish. But did you notice that they don't have much plants for sale? Do you know why?

    When we were meeting regularly there in the old days, I once had a chance to talk to the Auntie there. She's a nice lady but she's always very busy so its quite rare to get a chance to talk to her. Anyway, when I asked her why they don't have much plants for sale, she said, "We don't sell much plants because we don't see the point in doing so. You all come to the coffee shop here and exchange or trade plants with each other. Hardly anyone wants to buy any of our plants so what's the point in selling them?"

    Loh K L

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by Pohsan
    Timebomb, do you have a photo of Downoi? Can't seem to find it anywhere in web include tropica, AQ etc.


    The Pogostemon helferi, commonly known as the Downoi is such a rare plant even their pictures are hard to find If you want to own one, don't forget to attend the gathering and be there early. I can only bring a few stalks so if you're late, chances are the plant would be all sold out by the time you get there.

    Loh K L

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    Far East, you mean its near the Private Housing there? Is the shop like blue in color?
    That place is very near my house and I think that place to meet up would be great
    Lyon © I would rather walk a thousand leagues then to see your ugly face

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    I will definitely turn up, its nice to know a gathering has been confirmed, and Karin is a very nice person, kudus to the organisers and hope to meet all of you there, cosy corner is ideal, airconditioned as well.

    Andre

  10. #10
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    I'll try to make it. Only 1 complaint - got to wait so long.

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    I should be there. See you guys there!!!

    Daryl

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    I`LL try to make it too.see you guy/gal there

  13. #13
    Hi,

    I haven't been able to log in for quite a long while...too busy with work in the new company. But killifish is something I'll never give up. At last, we've got a hangout venue. Hope to see you all there and have a good chit-chat!

    Cheers!
    Darren Lum

  14. #14
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    Our very first gathering

    I will try to be there as well!

    I maybe able to bring bolbitis heudelotti and narrow leave Java fern for sale. Think these can be classified as rare plants right?
    ----------------------------

    do not do to others what you will not want done to you!

    be kind! =)

  15. #15
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    This sounds like a great event. You are fortunate to have Loh to organize for you, and a willing LFS to host it.

    It would be great if you could take some pictures of the event to post on the forum. It will make all of us who miss it jealous!

  16. #16
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    Does one have to register to attend? Would like to pop by if I have the time too. Hope to see my favorite there - Orange Lyretail!

    Cheers,

  17. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by benny
    Does one have to register to attend? Would like to pop by if I have the time too.
    You don't have to register. On the day, just pop in will do.

    Quote Originally Posted by benny
    Hope to see my favorite there - Orange Lyretail!
    Chances are you'll see the chocolate ones and even the gold type. There are many more killifishes not seen in local LFS will be on display too. :wink:
    Au SL

  18. #18
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    Great I will definitely be there to get some killies.





    Regards,
    kennedy ng

  19. #19
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    Benny,

    It's not an official event so there's no need for registration and all. I prefer that things are kept informal during the gathering. After all, we are all hobbyists.

    But I like everyone who's going to sell stuff during the gathering to let me know what items they will be bringing there. I'm trying to help Karin co-ordinate the number of tanks and shelf space she would need and also to get an idea what sort of stuff will be available for sale on the actual day.
    Another reason I want to know what you are selling is I hope there will be no under-cutting of prices. It's highly possible that some of you may be bringing the same fish and it wouldn't be good for anyone if people start under-cutting each other. It will devalue the fish and spread ill-will.

    I hope everyone won't bring just adult fish. It would be good if some people bring their fry or eggs and sell them during the gathering. This is because I'm concerned that there may be quite a few young people who may not be afford to buy the adult fish. Fry and eggs should be more affordable to people who are non-income earners.

    If you are bringing aquatic plants, I would advise you to check with Karin first. This is because Karin specialises in plants and it would be ridiculous if she sell your plants and not her own.

    Ronnie called me the other night and he was concerned that the gathering may become too commercialised if it's all about buying and selling. Ronnie was right to be concerned of course but I have to say that if you look at how fish conventions or meetings are conducted in other countries, the buying/selling part is essential to all such gatherings. In fact, the auction is usually the highlight of such functions. People attend gatherings to meet fellow-hobbyists but the main reason they go there is to look for something interesting to buy. So although there may be a lot of buying and selling on the actual day, this shouldn't make the event any less friendly for anyone.

    In such events in other countries, they usually invite an expert to give a talk or hold a seminar. I'm afraid there's no killifish expert yet in Singapore so no one will be giving any talk. But maybe Ronnie will bring his worms and show you all how he plays with them. Lily may also demonstrate how she uses her Satay Sticks to poke eggs. I've heard Au and Sia Meng have something lined up too. Maybe Au will show us how he counts killifish eggs so accurately and Sia Meng will dance the "macarena" and tell us how that helps to force-hatch eggs.

    It's going to be an exciting event for all, I'm sure

    Loh K L

  20. #20
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    Another reason I want to know what you are selling is I hope there will be no under-cutting of prices. It's highly possible that some of you may be bringing the same fish and it wouldn't be good for anyone if people start under-cutting each other. It will devalue the fish and spread ill-will.
    Prices will always be subject to supply and demand, and the perceived value of the fish by the individual. Kwek Leong, is there a guideline or benchmark that sellers can use (without going so far as creating a cartel?)

    As to 'bringing the same fish', I think species variety is limited, in the sense that aside from the few who import their own stock/eggs, the rest have been buying off each order. Still, I suppose it isn't surprising to expect staples like australe, nothos and Simpsonicthys.

    I hope everyone won't bring just adult fish. It would be good if some people bring their fry or eggs and sell them during the gathering. This is because I'm concerned that there may be quite a few young people who may not be afford to buy the adult fish.
    Personally, I won't have many adult fishes to release but if my present 'mass-spawning' keeps up, you should have eggs and young frys on the table.

    I've had a few private emails from other forum members, requesting for MWCs and are interested in killifishes too. These people are students and are mostly on a shoe-string budget. Affordable is good, if we can draw new blood into this facet of our hobby, but please define 'affordable' for me.

    if you look at how fish conventions or meetings are conducted in other countries, the buying/selling part is essential to all such gatherings. In fact, the auction is usually the highlight of such functions. People attend gatherings to meet fellow-hobbyists but the main reason they go there is to look for something interesting to buy.
    Point accepted. Won't deny feeling sore if I return home empty handed tho!

    But maybe Ronnie will bring his worms and show you all how he plays with them.
    There's one 'worm' that I'd rather be playing but since this a PG-Rated forum... urm... oh... you're refering to the grindals, microworms, composting worms... duh...

    It's going to be an exciting event for all, I'm sure
    I'm sold on the idea and already looking forward to it!

    Benny, it's likely you'll find your AUS Orange... eggs, frys and a trio Seeya there!
    I'm back & keeping 'em fingers wet,
    Ronnie Lee

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