This hobby used to be quite affordable, but after 2 years plus away and now back, the prices for both the fishes and corals penetrate beyond the sky that I've never seen before (what about you???).
Reefers used to be hobbyist and share their frag at super reasonable prices but now all seems to be part of the commercial LFS slaughtering one another breaking up tiny frags for big $$. It used to be 1 - 2 guys doing that but not anymore. Look at the Buy / Sell post, they are exploding everywhere asking for crazy prices. It's like "Gia Lan Ka Tao" to make it becomes unaffordable for newbies and maybe oldies and finally the hobby just dies off.
Where are the rest of the true blue old reefers.....for e.g I used to give away SPS frags or palm size Monti frags but now people are asking for $25 for a 3 - 4 inch frag...goosh
Yes, the prices of coral and fishes has went up as the old farmers (north and south suppliers) are handling over the trade to the younger generations who are more tech savvy and calculative ($$ talks). They will haggle for more from the local importers as they get better rate exporting to the US for example.
The usual suspects farm at Pasir Ris used to be very reasonable, but with the young gen running it, every small little tiny frag of about an inch size also asking for $40....what the hell...
Hopefully, there are still some true blue hobbyist sharing their frags around just like before.