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How to Make Money Breeding Tropical Fish

When venturing into any new business idea, it is important to ask: Is there a market for this business? 

And when it comes to tropical fish, the answer is most certainly yes!  Its difficult to say how large the market is; however, when one takes a look at the volume of fish sales that are taking place on eBay and all across the internet, its easy to see that there is certainly a healthy market. 

What is also great about freshwater tropical fish sales, is that no one company dominates the market.  There are lots of small players, which means it would be easy for someone brand new to make a sale.  Longevity in the market doesn’t really matter to the customer, its all about the fish!

There are all sorts of breeds of freshwater tropical fish that can be sold.  However, the most popular tend to be Angel Fish, Guppies, Livebearers, and Koi (especially Japanese Koi). 

So, there is certainly a market. But can you make money?  This is all depends on how you handle the following factors: competition, amount of investment, strategy and marketing.

Competition

As discussed, the competition is primarily made up of boutique dealers.  However, there is a lot of small companies that are trying to get into the game of fish breeding because the investment is so low.  So, you must certainly keep this in mind as you consider this business venture.  Any business that has low barriers to entry make it easy for you, but also easy for everyone else to get into the business.

Investment required

You really can get started small scale with this business and grow as you are successful.  Probably, for $1 - $2k you can get an aquarium tank, breeding equipment, and fish that you need to get started.  Now if you already have an aquarium, that’s the biggest investment, so you are well on your way.  You will also want to purchase a book or two on the types of fish you want to breed.  I have included some in the tools for success section below.

Strategies for success

As with any business, the way to become really successful is to make sure you have a solid strategy, and that you follow through.  This is especially important in the freshwater fish breeding business because the barriers to entry are so low. 

You must create a business that is difficult to duplicate.  Your business must stand out and be different than the hundred other boutique fish breeders out there.  So, how will you be different?  Once you figure that out, that’s your strategy. 

One strategy is to pick a niche and become very good at that particular area.  This may include a particular breed of fish that is rare or unique.  It might include a certain color of fish.  It might include quantity breeding.  It might be that you are a low price provider (not suggested).  It might be they you have particularly high customer service.  It might be that your product is packaged differently, such as with a year supply of food, books, or other fish equipment. 

There are lots of different strategies that may work in the fish breeding business, but it ESSENTIAL that you pick one so that you can stand out from your competition.  Otherwise you are just selling fish like everyone else.

So how much money can you make?

Well, it really depends on how you handle the factors discussed.  Some fish sell for over $1000, but some sell for only a $1.  You also have to decide how much time you are willing to work on this business.  For someone just looking for a few hundred extra dollars each month, its very doable.  If you are looking to make a living at this, its may be possible, but don’t expect to make it on Forbes list of 100 richest people. 

Leave a comment, and let me know what you think of this business idea.

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