Making A Living - Breeding Fish

[Gun]

Hey guys

Is it possible...? The more views/opinions, the better.

I cannot decide whether it is or isn't...be good to here what you guys think or have experienced..? If there's any hope, Is it best to concentrate on 1-2 species..or several species at a time?

Kev

 

[xmurdererx]

Hey guys

Is it possible...? The more views/opinions, the better.

I cannot decide whether it is or isn't...be good to here what you guys think or have experienced..? If there's any hope, Is it best to concentrate on 1-2 species..or several species at a time?

Kev

depends on what tank you have

 

[Gun]

'depends on what tank you have'

I don't understand?

 

[Miss Wiggle]

lol, confusion, i think your post title needs a comma or something

'making a living breeding fish' reads differently to 'making a living - breeding fish'

of course some people can and do make a living by breeding fish and nothing else, however for most breeders it's just a supplementary income in addition to their 9-5 job.

if you're new to the field i'd suggest starting with just one species to keep life easy, then you could build up from there if you wanted to do anything else.

 

[Gun]

Thanks for that Miss Wiggle.

My aim is to spend 1 more year in my current job and then hopefully quit..to make a living from breeding fish. The odds are probably stacked well against me, but it still doesn't stop me from putting some serious thought to this idea.

Just read this from an article...

'Breeding tropical fish for profit won’t make you rich but it can provide a comfortable income and it can help cover the cost of running your own tanks. You’ll find tropical fish can be quite addictive. The 30 gallon tank soon becomes a 90 gallon tank. You’ll know you are addicted when you are out looking for a bigger house because you want four 120 gallon tanks. Tropical fish breeding is a hobby that can pay well.'

This gives me hope.. If I can nail a specific fish and find some reliable buyers, then it's only a case of staggering the fry throughout the year...I think

Miss Wiggle, what would you recommend I start off with? Angels..maybe?

 

[drobbyb]

Funny you should ask. I make money by breeding fish, but it's not enough to live off of. I just don't have the room to take the operation large scale to be able to support myself solely by breeding. I just look at it like this: Extra cash too support my fishy habit.

 

[Gun]

Funny you should ask. I make money by breeding fish, but it's not enough to live off of. I just don't have the room to take the operation large scale to be able to support myself solely by breeding. I just look at it like this: Extra cash too support my fishy habit.

Hmm yeah. When I first thought of building a fishroom..it was initially just as a hobby. But now, I'm looking more and more at the money making side of things. Been in my current job now for 10 years and it's become very boring...I would be very happy to work with fish for the next 10 years

If I can find the right fish and some long term reliable buyers...I think I have the space to set something up.

drobbyb, what you breeding? Do you have any pics mate?

 

[drobbyb]

I breed rainbows. Specifically M, Duboulayi, M. Lacustris, M. Australis, and M. Praecox.

 

[Gun]

Just a thought...

Say I found a buyer for a specific fish. As a breeder, how much could I expect to be paid for each fish? Half the retail price?...or a 1/3rd more likely?

Say for instance...male/female guppies...how much should I ask for this fish?

 

[drobbyb]

The standard markup is 300%. Of course this rule dosen't apply to rare species and the like.

 

[Gun]

Hmm, predicting demand is very difficult.

How many fish do you think a local small lfs would take from you a month? Using guppies again as an example..or angels/other livebearers maybe.

50-200 fish maybe...? If I can work out some rough figures/prices, I can then work out how many fish and the number of shops I'd need to sell to, to make a living.

Edit: Thinking about it. It seems that if I can find buyers, dealing in large quantities at low prices would be the key to success. The words 'there's only so many people who buy fish' keeps ringing in my head though, lol!

 

[drobbyb]

That would depend on the LFS. For example: Around here the LFS do sell alot of guppies but their order would change from month to month. It's extremely hard to predict like you said. I usually sell mine on aquabid or through rainbow forums. I have yet to take some to the LFS.

This next batch that I have (they will be ready in about 3 weeks) of M. Lacustris (also called Turquoise, Blue, and Lake Kutubu rainbowfish,) already have a LFS that is waiting for some of them! They are only taking about 20, so that leaves me with 40-50 to sell on the internet.

It's exciting.