Should I Sell Fish?

When I was just a kid (about 8 years old I think), I had some platies that wouldn't stop breeding. They were the common "Red wag" strain, but for some reason all of the babies had a remarkable color. At that time I lived in the more central part of the state, and there was a small local store that bought them for fifty cents a piece.

They were sold as "sunset platies", and they sold those fish faster than I could breed them. They were a unique color and I wish I would have kept the strain going. They looked nothing like any of the current strains I see available, and what is currently known as "sunset" is nothing like the variety that I had. I have even searched extensively on the internet to find a picture resembling my strain, with no luck.

Anyway, your post reminded me of that Roan. If you have fish that are in demand, they will sell very fast. By the way, if you do raise any Goo-Obo fry, I would be interested ( if I had the space for them at the time). Right now I am looking for a few peacock females.
 
Aqua, I'd say that you have an idea that at least would help pay for your addic..., er I mean hobby. Invite people into your home to look at your tanks and sell them on the idea of running a tank of their own. Walk them through the steps and help them order everything they need. Seed their filters so they can get up and running quickly. You've got very little to risk since you've already made your biggest investments.

You will want to get a business license, because it will open doors for buying equipment wholesale and provide you with many opportunities to write expenses off your taxes.
 
That's basically what I've been planning too Dirk, but I was thinking I would keep it small enough to avoid the business license. Perhaps that's something I should look into.
 
Aqualung said:
Anyway, your post reminded me of that Roan. If you have fish that are in demand, they will sell very fast.
True, but rainbows aren't a very quick turn-over. They grow much slower than most fish and are hard to sell as juvies because they don't have much color. The Milleniums are supposed to be colored at 2 months and my bigger ones are just starting. I should contact Tanner and get some age info on this fry batch.

By the way, if you do raise any Goo-Obo fry, I would be interested ( if I had the space for them at the time). Right now I am looking for a few peacock females.
Maybe we can do a trade off down the road :) I wouldn't mind a few peacocks for the Boesemani tank. The Goo obos are really laid back, easy-going gudgeon, so I can easily stock them tank with smaller rainbows. I had intended on separating them when they got to 2" or so anyhow. I think I'm going to need at least one more female, though. Looks like I've only got 2 so far and I'd like at least 3 to the five males.

I hear tell the peacocks are "grumpy" and would probably house better with the Boesemani. Are yours housed with other fish, or species only?

Roan
 
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My two males are in a tank with a dwarf gourami, a honey gourami, some otos and a characidium. They are actually quite peaceful when there aren't any females around. When I had females in with them they would fight amongst themselves but never too seriously.
 
I have to say it
Lucky....
 
Aqualung said:
My two males are in a tank with a dwarf gourami, a honey gourami, some otos and a characidium. They are actually quite peaceful when there aren't any females around. When I had females in with them they would fight amongst themselves but never too seriously.
Hrm, sounds like I hear the Goos are, but I've not seen it. Probably because it's a 75g with 7 Goo obos and they're the only ones on the bottom. Lots of places to hide and space for territories.

Heh, all my 75gs are understocked big time :)

Roan
 
Aqualung,

First, living in a state as crowded as NJ I can't imagine 4hrs to a fish store. But of course the downside is that it's hazardous to breath, drink, or eat anything within 4hrs of here.

If breeding is too space consuming what about a fish "cooperative" where you and fellow hobbyists team up and by from an importer?
 
Aqualung I'd say go for it. Not enough people out there who know what they're doin'. I would advise at least looking into getting a DBA and sales tax resale number. Wholesalers generally won't talk to you without those. Of course you can probably get what you need on line. Let us know how it goes.

Mark
 
I already have some sources for livestock so I wouldn't need to worry about finding a supplier. It would be nice to do importing directly but that might be more of a hassle than it would be worth. I've been thinking more about it and decided that I would keep the breeding to a minimum to save on space. I've got plenty of time to think things over and plan it out, I don't want to rush into anything unprepared.
 
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