I'd like to see one of these in person. Do any of you have one or have had one? Are they more rare than the other types? More expensive?

They're not that expensive...however adults go for a lot of $$

I will be getting one soon. Just waiting for a bigger tank so he doesn't get his fins torn by my cichlids.

I don't have one, but spot them locally and go for about the same price, sometimes a bit more.

There are pictures about on the net, some say they look like a muscle-bound goldfish ... I have read the fins don't flow as you would think because they are thick, unlike a Betta's tail.

I would definitely consider them a bit more rare ... since there is usually only one. They are usually housed alone to keep other fish from nipping at the elongated fins.

Hope you find one. I might go for one some day myself, but even if I upgrade the tank to a 150, I think my O is too spoiled to adopt a tankmate

Good luck on finding an adult in person ... you might want to ask the LFS/LPS if they have any accounts with one, and then ask the business if you can visit and catch a glimpse of it