I sold at least 72 H. Minkleyi into this club and they all died but non hobbyist raised a pair that will spawn soon? I don't think many of you are as good as you think. Hello! the rift lakes are "great freshwater lakes"
Biggest point: Who uses club auctions as a source for breeding stock? Especially Angels! By buying your stock at an auction you are starting with someones seconds. Nope, they sold seconds to the lfs, you got thirds at best......
Call me an ass but its the truth.....
What does your sale of the H. minkleyi or their unfortunate end have to do with this topic?
Regarding the purchase of breeding stock at an auction (whether you're talking about angels or anything else for that matter) I'd have to say that's a pretty sweeping generalization. I've seen spectacular angels for sale at the auctions, and not everyone raises fish with the intention of keeping the best, selling the mediocre stuff to the store, and dumping the rest at the auctions.
I don't know about your side of the state, but we have several stores with owners/staff that actually know what they're looking at when they buy fish. Do you think they're going to buy crap?
This is not to say that you shouldn't look at what your bidding on, but the volunteers do try to point out or pull the substandard fish.