Understand where you gents are coming from but if you think it's bad on MFK go hang out on some of the dedicated SEA Arowana sites -- it's downright kinda crazy: you'll see guys admitting to running home from work every day to see if their fish crossed another mm while they were away lol.
But actually it's not really all about pomp, there's the mystery and challenge of how well your fish will
really turn out -- depending both on its genetics and your skill level/ability to provide it with a decent home (while praying to the aquatic gods it doesn't jump outta the tank when you turn your back for a moment).
Also if one walks into a shop to buy the prettiest super saiyan that doesn't mean it'll really be the prettiest super saiyan later -- if they're on the younger side (when most of us buy them) it's particularly hard to tell (esp. with Reds), so there's an element of luck as well. If you really want to buy the prettiest (which means older/bigger) super saiyan you see in the shop you'd best bring a big briefcase full of cash, it'll be about quadruple+ the price of a youngin.
Insofar as the name/ID thing, well we can see the same kind of questions and concerns on almost every species sub-forum on MFK ("Help -- what kind of African Cichlid or Flowerhorn is this?" lol -- it's pretty natural to want to know specifically what kind of fish you have, and naturally even more so when you're talking about fish that cost a heck of a lot more than $10
Given there has been some hokey pokey/greedier players in the Arowana market over the years, it's even more understandable that Aro owners discuss this.
Similarly, while you might be an exception, there's certainly no lack of pomp and show in the saltwater community -- and imho why not? It's an expensive hobby that takes a lot of time, money and effort do successfully, kudos to those who achieve the highest results and want to show them off to the world.
All of that said amongst FW keepers I won't deny that Asian Arowana owners take it all to the highest level, it's just a culture than has risen around the fish given their beauty, size, presence, price/relative exclusivity and challenge level to bring out their best. I would argue those wacky Flowerhorn keepers take 2nd place in going overboard lol. I happen to own both species, I guess I'm just a pompous and wacky guy ha ha
