What do Local Fish Stores pay for home raised fish

In the 3.5 years that I have been back in the hobby I have had a certain amount of success breeding my fish. Honestly I did not start back in the hobby with the intent to breed fish. I merely wanted to have a nice tank set up that I could appreciate and show off to my grandkids and friends. Well one thing led to another and before too long I had Kribensis juveniles to sell, and then angelfish (Koi, marble and standard), then electric blue acaras, bristlenose plecos, neolamprologus brichardi, and now gold panda (Gold Dust) mollies.

All the breeding has necessitated more tanks, and a small scale brine shrimp hatchery operation, but it is rewarding, especially with the angels as each Koi angelfish is uniquely colored and I do have prolific pairs. I estimate that on average I devote about 3 hours of my day into doing everything I need to do to maintain my tanks, feed the fish, etc., etc. The selling for cash or bartering for goods does offset costs. In the past 15 months I have made in cash or value for trade goods about $2500.00 I do keep a detailed Excel spreadsheet on spawns and selling/trading. I also keep one for water changes on all my tanks.

I am curious to know how others do with the fish selling and trading that they do. Here is pretty much how I do with what I have raised and sold/traded. I am currently working with 7 different local fish stores. This does not count one particular Petco which typically does not work with hobbyists but one in particular does work with me via significant discounts and some fish for fish trades. I am in the New Orleans area. Prices cover a range depending upon size of fish and what stores I am dealing with:

Kribensis, 1.5 inch - typically $1.00 each, 2 inch - $2.00

Koi Angelfish (standard fin) - nickel size body - $1.50 each, quarter size body - $2.50 to $5 per fish, depending upon the store

Electric Blue Acara - 2" - typically $2.00 each, if larger, maybe 2.5" I can get $5 each. I did sell some breeding pairs for $30.00 each

Bristlenose Plecos - 2" - typically $3.00 each Note, I have some albinos that I may ask for $4.00 each (is that too much?)

Neolamprologus Brichardi - $3.00 each for 2 inch fish (note - sold all of these, and not planning on starting up with them again)

Gold Panda/Gold Dust Mollies - first two spawns are about 1 inch to 1.5 inches long now - would 75 cents to $1.00 each for a 2" fish be too much to ask?

Note - my son in law in Dallas has started doing the same, following my lead. He has sold some Koi angels and bristlenose plecos. That market seems to pay a bit more.

Thanks in advance for any feedback!

Barry

 

I've only found one store that will pay cash. He gives about 10% of retail for guppies and shrimp, and a little better for plants. Others will give a little more, but it's store credit.

 

Honestly, ask the store.

It depends on the local market and how - sorry - stupid the store owner is. Getting a fair price is rare, most often you can be glad you get store credit. Many stores have adopted a policy of not buying from local breeders at all.

For example:

Kribensis, 1.5 inch - typically $1.00 each, 2 inch - $2.00

Bristlenose Plecos - 2" - typically $3.00 each Note, I have some albinos that I may ask for $4.00 each (is that too much?)

Neolamprologus Brichardi - $3.00 each for 2 inch fish (note - sold all of these, and not planning on starting up with them again)

Gold Panda/Gold Dust Mollies - first two spawns are about 1 inch to 1.5 inches long now - would 75 cents to $1.00 each for a 2" fish be too much to ask?

For these species you would get basically nothing here.

Pelvicachromis and bristlenose plecos you have to give away for free here, because your neighbour and their uncle breeds them. If I had them I would actually pay people to take them from me.

Same goes for the Neolamprologus, which I sold for 1 Mark (50ct in Euro) a piece back in the day (mid-90s).

Livebearers are sold for 2-3€ a piece for adult fish, so 75ct for the mollies are close to what the store pays the wholesaler. Livebearers only go in mass.

 

In my area of MD most will do store credit 1/3 retail. Still haven't found one that will pay but I am waiting on a response from one of them. Can always do Aquabid if you are willing to ship.

 

South Florida, places I found to get rid of my extra angels would only do $1.50 per angel store credit. All places start with "would you like to surrender them, we can find them good homes". then most places offered 0.25-0.50 per nickel sized angel in store credit. one place I thought was fair and offered $1.50 each for 30 of them.

the guy offering $1.50 sells them for $6.99 each. all of the stores are similar in that regard, you might find dime size for $4.99-$5.99 at some places.

my angels were half Black marbles and half mostly white with black markings at random. parents were a marble male and platinum female.

Anyways, , it was my first time doing it, kind of turned me off of even bothering anymore. I spent more on food than what I would have got for them all, and never mind electricity and water. I might have done better with more space and tanks and ability to wait and do retail sales on the internet.
But wholesale, not worth it for me, let the pet stores get their fish from the farms for more money, and deal with the quality and losses.

Maybe it offset the costs to grow them out to market a bit, but considering the time invested, not worth the effort at less than wholesale prices.

 

Some pet store chains may have policies that prohibit them from purchasing from hobbyists as they are likely to have corporate contracts with certain distributors.

You are more likely to have success with a locally owned fish store. The price you receive will be based on the owner's perception of the supply and demand in the local area.

 

I'm afraid that I'm the luckiest people in the world. I've been dealing with the same LFS since I got in to fish in 2001. Mine is a mom and pop pet store. They know that I breed good fish consistently and they pay me what they would pay the wholesalers. They pay me in cash. We have become to know one another well enough that they allow me to build up credit with them so that when money gets tight (like now) my credit with them can get me out of a hole.

Recently my central AC went out. My credit saved me and also made it so that I could make it through until my SS check arrives in a week or so. They also sell everything I buy from them to me at their wholesale cost. I love these folks. I bet I'm the only one in the country who is lucky enough to have a relationship like this.

 

I just stick to trading... ive got a LFS that will take in my fish and let me leave with just about whatever other fish I want.

But they know that my fish are superb and they will sell quickly. I'm also dealing strictly with Malawi cichlids so they tend to move for a bit more than your average community fish.

If I want cash....I sell them to individuals, I don't depend on a store for that.

But if you are working with several stores....I would ask the owner what they need and how much they would pay for them. Then see if you can find those fish at another store and trade yours for them....that might make you a bit more money.

 

I bet I'm the only one in the country who is lucky enough to have a relationship like this.

You are just to good and likable Liz.

 

Anyways, , it was my first time doing it, kind of turned me off of even bothering anymore. I spent more on food than what I would have got for them all, and never mind electricity and water. I might have done better with more space and tanks and ability to wait and do retail sales on the internet.
But wholesale, not worth it for me, let the pet stores get their fish from the farms for more money, and deal with the quality and losses.

That's why we went family side-business for a decade and why I decided to not breed since my return to the hobby. I have almost completely lost any interest in it.

 

Thank you. You're a good man yourself, Chuck. You helped me when I needed help.

 

If I want cash....I sell them to individuals, I don't depend on a store for that.

Jepp, collectors pay stupid high prices. But I can relate.

 

Breeding fish is a passion. I have a good thing going with both my LPS and Aquabid, I guess that sometimes I break even. I certainly don't expect to make money. What I like is breeding good fish. I'm just thankful that both AB and my LPS for making my hobby possible.

 

If i really got into breeding fish big time, i would probably go the route of selling at swap meets. The "local" aquarium club here does them in the spring and fall. So maybe that is an option for you to try to look into. I currently don't have the want to or the space to really get into purposefully breed and raise fry right now, though i do like to know my options locally should things change.

 

Jepp, collectors pay stupid high prices. But I can relate.

Same...especially when you find a good one that you absolutely need to take home.

 

I am at the very least breaking even. Realistically I believe I am doing about 50% better than breaking even. This, of course, doesn't not factor in any kind of hourly rate that I would bill myself out at. However first and foremost this is a hobby, but it is nice to defray costs. I am posting some photos of some of my "fry" as juveniles and all grown up.

Note, I guess I am lucky in that many shops in my area are willing to purchase from me or at the very least to barter with me for things I need.

Barry

 

When dealing with shops, remember that they can get most common fish very cheap via wholesalers. Developing trust is difficult, but important. Like Liz, I had a long term relationship with a local shop owner who I met through fish clubs. When selling to stores, you have to be able to offer good sized fish in reasonable quantities. Don't ask a store to take a dozen juvenile two inch livebearers for anything but feeders. And don't try to sell anything but quality fish. I've dumped whole spawns of angelfish for defects rather than sell them to dealers who trust me. This is also a reason to keep a large predator for "disposal" of culls.

First, let it be mentioned to the members in Florida that state law requires you to be a licensed wholesaler to sell to retail shops. However, there are several local clubs across that state where you can deal with other hobbyists, either through meeting auctions, annual or semi-annual auctions, or lately the very popular swap meets. Swap meets allow you to set the price, but if you are greedy, you won't sell as much. These days I can find a half dozen swap meets within 2-3 hours driving distance at most any time via facebook. For the casual or accidental breeder, clubs are the best way to deal with excesses of young.

The national specialist organizations often have a network of local affiliate clubs. The more organizations you belong to, the more people you will meet who might be interested in your fish. They also have conventions that are hosted in different parts of the country. Networking not only helps move your fish, but it also gives you access to fish that don't go through the normal wholesale lines. Wild type livebearers would be unknown to the hobby f it wasn't for the American Livebearer Association.

There was a time when local clubs were more numerous. These days I would say that if you can find one within two hours' drive, join it. Aside from the market considerations, meeting other people who are as crazy as yourself when it comes to fish is good for you. You don't have to attend every meeting.

 

Fortunately, selling in my area (southeast Louisiana) has not been a problem. Perhaps at some point in the future I will consider shipping fish out, but would need to learn more about that. Shipping costs and hassles, guarantees, etc. will cut into profits.

Seems like electric blue acaras are not as popular as they were 2 or so years ago. Not breeding any of those now anyway. I have 6 left, all are about 2.5 to 3 inches long. If I do decide to breed those again I would likely try to trade two or three of mine for one unrelated male that looks nice. What I have now are the grandchildren of my original pair and I want to stay away from additional in-breeding.

The angelfish (4 breeding pairs) include a pair of gold capped marble angels which were not born at my home, they are probably related; another marble angel, born here mated to an all black female angel, so unrelated; a male Koi angel which was born here, mated to an unrelated female "pearl scale" Koi angel; and a brother-sister pair of Koi angels. I can positively see the difference in the viability/vigor of the fry when you mate unrelated fish. At least for me, they do better when not related.

My breeding pair of bristle-nose plecos are not related as are my two breeding pairs of kribensis. Axiom here is work with unrelated pairs if at all possible.

Barry