Breeding Fish For Profit Part 2 / How to make your first $1000 Breeding Fish. Real Fish Talk

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Most popular comments
for Breeding Fish For Profit Part 2 / How to make your first $1000 Breeding Fish. Real Fish Talk

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Comments on YouTube

Kyle Cook - 6 years ago

This is sound business advice even for people who aren't in to fish. Great job!

Kevan Vu - 6 years ago

Would electric blue acaras be good to breed and sell to a lfs. I have experence in the past but i sold them myself then stopped

Kevan Vu - 6 years ago

Aquarium Co-Op what about celestial pearl danios?

Aquarium Co-Op - 6 years ago

Possibly, they kind of have big batches so maybe you raise 1 clutch up every 3 months or so.

Thunderflash85 - 7 years ago

I can’t find a store that buys them from me

Beast _ Gago - 7 years ago

Cory I am kind of merrier to my lfs but the owner has a hard time to be at shop but another store 30 min away the owner is always there and negotiates price over phone and tells me how he wants it

Stormy Mist - 7 years ago

Why don't people buy fish in the summer?

Aquarium Co-Op - 7 years ago

a few reasons, people go on vacation, spend more time outdoors, spend money on other things etc.

Stormy Mist - 7 years ago

Ok I got it I have to marry a store I what day should the wedding be what dress do I want to were what flowers

You don't know who I am - 7 years ago

I love how all of these tips sound like they benefit you

andreboy1 - 6 years ago

His advice is so one-sided. The breeders basically sound like servants to him. Only he is allowed to maximize his financial profits.

josh stannard - 7 years ago

Thanks so much Cory! You're awesome!!

the fish keeper - 7 years ago

How many tanks will i need if i
breed guppies?

10. comment for Breeding Fish For Profit Part 2 / How to make your first $1000 Breeding Fish. Real Fish Talk

Hailey Parlette - 7 years ago

Geez 700 angels in a spawn? Wow. Amateur hour here (points at self) lost my first two spawns entirely. On the third twelve lived, but half were derpy and I culled them. The six remaining I kept in my show tank and grew out to full size. I was super proud of that. 700 angels, wow.

Aquarium Co-Op - 7 years ago

Eveeryone starts somewhere ;)

Mickis Sjöberg - 7 years ago

would it be weird to write up a contract with the pet store you're "in bed with" about price and how often they buy as long as theres reasonable stipulations on your part

Mickis Sjöberg - 7 years ago

ok thanks for the quick response

Aquarium Co-Op - 7 years ago

+Mickis Sjöberg I suppose it could be some but I don't think anyone will want to sign that contract.

Bieber Justin - 7 years ago

Hey! Thanks a lot for all the work you are doing for us:)

There is one thing I am not very sure and It is about how do we first enter in contact with the fishstore, are we just like calling them and then come over there and show our samples? If you are reading this, It would be cool if you answer! Thank you a lot

A 16 y/o fishkeeper

Ezekiel Bartlem - 7 years ago

Awesome I'm the same age in the same position, it's awesome that you're still replying to comment on this video dude.

Bieber Justin - 7 years ago

Aquarium Co-Op thank you:) you really deserve more subs!

Aquarium Co-Op - 7 years ago

+Bieber Justin typically just visit the store in person and bring them a sample of your fish to give to them. Watch the whole series for more info.

Yours Truly - 7 years ago

Dont get me wrong, I love ya man. My son and I enjoy all your videos and have learned a lot from you.

Yours Truly - 7 years ago

wow, I disagree with many of your business tactics. Id never let you control.

Yours Truly - 7 years ago

carlos casarez yes

carlos casarez - 7 years ago

can you elaborate?

Aquarium Co-Op - 7 years ago

+Yours Truly that's the great thing about business, the market decides who is correct.

GameGuardian - 7 years ago

The only local fish stores around me only do salt water, but I've never done any of that

GameGuardian - 7 years ago

So I've come up to a dilemma, there are no local fish stores in Gwinnett county here in Georgia that sell guppies, or anything like that! Is there anyway to get around this? (Probably not im guessing)

Dyllan White/SHØNTØ - 7 years ago

GameGuardian sell them from home

AcuaTV - 7 years ago

Great tips! Thanks!!

Loss TwoRL - 7 years ago

How do I do market analysis in a city with only 3 fish stores and as far as I know only one of them sells freshwater?

Aquarium Co-Op - 7 years ago

Get involved with the local hobby and study and research, stores, hobbyists, test the market etc.

Billy Long - 7 years ago

A store that sells a lot of Africans??? LMAO lol

20. comment for Breeding Fish For Profit Part 2 / How to make your first $1000 Breeding Fish. Real Fish Talk

AquariumCop - 7 years ago

Awesome

Jimmy Dean from 10 news - 7 years ago

Here In Mexico City the only big fish seller are 2-3 huge markets at the other side of town from me so in my part of town the minor pet stores have a bit low quality so if I sell em a bit more expensive and better quality I'll have a monopoly on the market

Bee's Aquatics - 7 years ago

watch the video at 16:20 to 16:25. See if you can find my favourite line and favourite part of history XD

Nicole Hubert - 7 years ago

Love this series! So funny I was thinking of the free fish trial with "let's see what we can get" when I started the series! Such down to earth advice with an insider perspective. Love it. Thanks man!

Santos Lee - 7 years ago

Thanks for sharing these great nuggets of info - I'm inspired and think I will try my hand with some endlers and shrimp.

FintasticFish - 7 years ago

I'm gonna watch this whole series in one day. Very informative keep it up

Hunter Claflin - 7 years ago

would you be able to sell to a place like pet co or just go to fish stores

Aquarium Co-Op - 7 years ago

petcos have to buy from the wholesalers they have contracts with.

Russ Sommer - 7 years ago

Great video series! VERY knowledgeable. Im looking to get into breeding perhaps guppies to start and see where it goes from there. I had mollies breed in my tank once,so many mollies at that time.

Aquarium Co-Op - 7 years ago

Awesome, remember to enjoy the fish you breed, it makes it a lot easier :)

Vincent Lieu - 7 years ago

What is a trusted online source for good breather bags?

Aquarium Co-Op - 7 years ago

my go to source is aqpkg.com

Robbie Sellers - 7 years ago

you never mention any saltwater fish. is there still a profit there?

Aquarium Co-Op - 7 years ago

It's mostly because I haven't bred them for profit. I bet there is some there, but corals might be easier and more profitable.

30. comment for Breeding Fish For Profit Part 2 / How to make your first $1000 Breeding Fish. Real Fish Talk

Earl Davis - 7 years ago

The most AWSOMENESS video I've seen. Thanks Cory.

Aquarium Co-Op - 7 years ago

Thank you for the kind words Earl, make sure you check out the new videos coming out, setting up some for profit tanks in the studio right now.

Omar Alvarez - 7 years ago

have you had bad experience with a local breeder before?

Aquarium Co-Op - 7 years ago

Definitely, they are humans like the rest of us, it'll run the gamut of who is trustworthy, easy to work with etc.

Recked Hail - 7 years ago

`I only have a 10 gallon tank with a thermometer and filter. I have 1 male and 2 female guppy at the moment. The females aren't pregnant yet. Is it worth my time to keep breeding them?

Aquarium Co-Op - 7 years ago

Only you can answer that question really. If you enjoy it sure, if you're purely looking for money, deliver pizza or mow your neighbor's lawn.

Justin Cruzac - 7 years ago

Thank you very much for all of this amazing info!

Justin Cruzac - 7 years ago

+Aquarium Co-Op I have learned so much from you I have started my own ghost shrimp colony as i can't find any other kinds in tucson from stores with good rep :( -- maybe one day I'll find a local store who buys, and get to enjoy breeding for $!

Aquarium Co-Op - 7 years ago

I hope it serves you well.

Fish in the Corner - 7 years ago

How do you sell guppy pairs? Do they already have to have had fry together? (Breeding pair?) also how do you as a store sell them? Like if I came in and gave you 5 pairs of 3 different strains of guppies (30). How would you sell them, like all in one big tank- separated pairs or will the customers pick how many they want ect. Also why pairs? Will stores accept trios or just males why or why not just random #'s of each? Thank you:)

Carnotaurus Hunter - 7 years ago

Great video!! Super psyched to expand the fish selection that I breed.

Carnotaurus Hunter - 7 years ago

Aquarium Co-Op Right now just African cichlids. Thinking of making the jump into guppies and angelfish.

Aquarium Co-Op - 7 years ago

Awesome, what do you currently breed?

Name Unavailable. - 8 years ago

Cory. do I need a license or anything to sell fish like guppy's? I am from Canada.

Name Unavailable. - 8 years ago

yea you need a business license for everything here as well. I was wondering about special permits for breeding and selling fish from home specifically.

Aquarium Co-Op - 8 years ago

+Average Joe I am insure in Canada but here in the Usa, you shoukd have a business license to sell fish.

Erin Concepcio - 8 years ago

Applying all those economic theories. It seems like fish breeding is a very volatile market

Aquarium Co-Op - 8 years ago

+Erin Concepcio it really can be for sure. Knowing the market is key.

Alex Vega - 8 years ago

selling to a costumer

Alex Vega - 8 years ago

selling to a costumer

Alex Vega - 8 years ago

can you please show use a video of you selling fish

Aquarium Co-Op - 8 years ago

You mean like selling to a customer in my retail store? Or selling to another store? what exactly are you wanting to see?

Alex Vega - 8 years ago

where do you get the best goldfish to breed

Aquarium Co-Op - 8 years ago

I don't personally breed goldfish, but either well known breeders or importing from China and Japan typically yield the best goldfish.

Charles Gallegos - 8 years ago

right on, no loss on my part just need to get rid of them. that's one thing I like about you man, you don't beat around the bush it's always a straightforward honest answer . thanks for your time it's appreciated

Aquarium Co-Op - 8 years ago

+Charles Gallegos no problem
Honest and to rhe point makes things easy :)

Charles Gallegos - 8 years ago

Would be a good price to sell a pet store some Convict cichlids about 5 weeks old

Aquarium Co-Op - 8 years ago

Honestly probably what ever they'd give you for them. They are such an easy breeder that most stores would breed them for themselves if they needed them. At 5 weeks not a lot of growing has gone into them yet.

LP Fish Videos - 8 years ago

Also, how did you make those legit betta barracks???

Aquarium Co-Op - 8 years ago

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WpP4X3sIj0

LP Fish Videos - 8 years ago

How did you monetize your videos?

LP Fish Videos - 8 years ago

thx

LP Fish Videos - 8 years ago

where do you do that?

Aquarium Co-Op - 8 years ago

You just turn on monetization for youtube.

LP Fish Videos - 8 years ago

Where do you buy your betta cups? I just bred bettas and I need cups!

LP Fish Videos - 8 years ago

thx

Aquarium Co-Op - 8 years ago

Buy them at a store that supplies coffee stands etc. I bought mine at cash and carry.

E GONZALEZ - 8 years ago

Thanks for all the videos. I love the content. Very entertaining !

Aquarium Co-Op - 8 years ago

Thanks for watching, time is the most valuable asset you have and I value yours :)

Robert treboR - 8 years ago

Where is this guys store?

Mr.Hmong Culture - 7 years ago

Robert treboR

Aquarium Co-Op - 8 years ago

I'm in Edmonds, Washington. Near Seattle

sumslayer27 - 8 years ago

Can u sell to chain stores

Aquarium Co-Op - 8 years ago

No, they have contracts with wholesalers.

50. comment for Breeding Fish For Profit Part 2 / How to make your first $1000 Breeding Fish. Real Fish Talk

Greentea - 8 years ago

Thanks for sharing your experience with us. One of my dreams is to start a small farm where I can grow fruits, vegetables, and have a green house with a few different species of fish and aquatic plants.

Zandman 134 - 7 years ago

Aquarium Co-Op we have a awesome relationship with a fish shop called Woofs and Waves and they are awesome

Aquarium Co-Op - 8 years ago

That sounds awesome!

احواض الاسماك - 8 years ago

you are a wise man Cory ! great analysis !

ShortNanxious - 8 years ago

I need all your advice.. keep up the videos please!!
I'm taking notes, promise

ShortNanxious - 8 years ago

This is great... keep up the videos

OJM - 8 years ago

do you have baby turtles

OJM - 8 years ago

+Aquarium Co-Op if you do please tell me cause I live in Washington

Aquarium Co-Op - 8 years ago

Not currently. Haven't had any breed lately.

2ndBrothers - 8 years ago

why don't people buy fish in the summer

Aquarium Co-Op - 8 years ago

No one wants to buy fish when their family is going on a vacation later in the month etc... Plus there are outside activities to do etc.

Alex Cordovez - 8 years ago

so basically lets say guppies, i should buy a quality trio and breed them and sell to the store so there getting a unique fish that only i gave to them ?

Aquarium Co-Op - 8 years ago

+Freshwater Fix the most money selling to stores is having a wide assortment. Line bred guppues while cool are not the best money makers.

Dmaculate - 8 years ago

Where can you recommend to get assorted fancy guppies that are indeed quality, I was gunna get maybe the Rainbow snakeskin guppies on the wet spot? Your saying i should get some pairs of there "assorted guppies" and just have a lot of colors n not have a specific name brand guppy that are basically all identical? My understanding was that I should get separate tanks and a few of the best individual guppy line's I guess you call them and that's how I would get some variety?

Aquarium Co-Op - 8 years ago

+Alex Cordovez If by a quality trio, you mean a trio of nice assorted fancy guppies then yes. If you're talking about a line bred strain like say Black Moscow guppies. No, a line would be the opposite of what I'm recommending. You want to supply numbers of fish that sell quickly. For every black moscow guppy that sells the store should sell 50-100 normal fancy guppies.

Katie - 8 years ago

Never had a business before, but these seem like great general business practices. Very informative video, subscribing!

Aquarium Co-Op - 8 years ago

+Katie Kogler Glad it helped you. But you're correct that these can be applied to different types of businesses as well.

YZFR6Yammie - 8 years ago

Seahorse fry popping out non stop over here. LOL

Free Swimmer - 8 years ago

I want to thank you for taking time to share this valuable information. I am 50 years young and have many years caring for Cichlids. Many years ago I was selling Angels to a LFS that had a falling out after a few years of dealing and I sold off all pertaining, but kept personal favorites. I am setting up a Saulosi Cichlid breeding/grow-out room currently. I have the 55 gallon breeder tank ready and waiting for first colony to arrive. My 180 gallon dwarf Mbuna maintank is my pride and joy. I believe it's good for me to sub your channel and I hope you would take the time to look at my channe,l and share thoughts, and possibly sub back. Thanks

Aquarium Co-Op - 8 years ago

Thanks :)

Free Swimmer - 8 years ago

Very nice. I sub'd and am going to gather as much info from you as I can.. Will feature you on my channel. Keep it up !

Aquarium Co-Op - 8 years ago

I just brought Lamont a batch of 40 Saulosi I bred today in fact :)

Free Swimmer - 8 years ago

Yes sir, endangered I believe which makes it that much more personal to me. I have some breeders ust over an hour away that get good, healthy babies occasionally. I understand the wilds or f1 are unavailable due to over harvesting. I hope to bring back at least some numbers.. Thanks for response and my gratitude goes out to your sharing and caring..

Aquarium Co-Op - 8 years ago

+Free Swimmer Good for you working with the Saulosi. As you probably already know they are a cares fish :)

Conner Grant - 8 years ago

I have a good relationship already bc I only buy from them even though sometimes they do not have the best fish

Conner Grant - 8 years ago

+Aquarium Co-Op sweet I love your visa keep it up

Aquarium Co-Op - 8 years ago

Oh there will be some coming up :)

Conner Grant - 8 years ago

+Aquarium Co-Op thanks. you should make a video about goldfish soon

Aquarium Co-Op - 8 years ago

Good luck. I hope it works out well for ya :)

Conner Grant - 8 years ago

+Aquarium Co-Op I just started with some 3 inchers so I still got to raise them up but when I do I want to get some money to pay for all the tank crap

Aquarium Co-Op - 8 years ago

+Conner Grant Yeah well, if you help supply them, then that can help them have better fish for sale.

Conner Grant - 8 years ago

can you breed goldfish for profit???

Aquarium Co-Op - 8 years ago

Yep, those could be a great variety.

Conner Grant - 8 years ago

+Aquarium Co-Op ya true but if sometimes I get them to sell the store would love it so I just got to try to find a good type that the store does not get like butterfly telescopes etc

Aquarium Co-Op - 8 years ago

Sure, keep in mind sometimes things are uncommon because they don't sell. For instance wakins, jinkins etc aren't in my store because the public doesn't know what they are.

Conner Grant - 8 years ago

+Aquarium Co-Op I want to establish a relationship with the store than give them some new types that are uncommon

Conner Grant - 8 years ago

+Aquarium Co-Op I'm just getting into it but I really want to start getting something back from what I bought to get is started

Aquarium Co-Op - 8 years ago

+Conner Grant I feel like for a home based business. You'd need to focus on fancy goldfish and establish a reputation for it to make money. Because at the beginning unknown goldfish wouldn't sell for that much.

East Allen Aquatics - 8 years ago

This is literally the best series of videos on YouTube! Thanks so much for doing this.

Aquarium Co-Op - 8 years ago

+East Allen Aquatics Glad you're enjoying it :) Thanks for watching.

Neil Munro - 8 years ago

Really interesting, thanks

Neil Munro - 8 years ago

I did thanks, really interesting. I don't expect to be trying it, I'm just a lazy hobbyist, but loved watching it so who knows.....

Aquarium Co-Op - 8 years ago

+Neil Munro Make sure to check out the whole series :)

Local _rels - 8 years ago

I breed black convicts made almost $250 at my school and where I live

Local _rels - 8 years ago

+Aquarium Co-Op thanks I want to breed something else but I don't know how to breed anything else black convicts is all I know

Aquarium Co-Op - 8 years ago

+Alex Cedano Awesome. Keep working that local market :)

Dr Red Pill - 8 years ago

I enjoyed this video. I had heaps of rainbow fish fry. The lfs in my area sells them for around $35 each but only wanted to pay $1.50 for each. To be honest I was upset. I was thinking $5 each would have been reasonable. Unfortunately the all died and my Australian bass decided he liked the taste of rainbow fish adults. I live in Australia and they pay nothing for fish but charge the public heaps. To be honest Australia is very very expensive. I know people who had been in Sydney from France (which is very expensive) and thought Australia was the most expensive place they have ever been

Aquarium Co-Op - 8 years ago

Could be true. I don't know the logistics over there. There could be import taxes for business etc. It's a different market then I am in so I'm not sure I could offer correct advice.

Dr Red Pill - 8 years ago

But I do believe that shops here do try and do over customers. For instance it would be half the price for me to buy a top canister filter from the USA then buy one local I was looking at one (the fx5 I believe) it costs almost $700 here but I could get one shipped over for $350. I'm not just talking about fish stores I know someone that brought their whole kitchen from Germany including shipping was less than half the price here.

Dr Red Pill - 8 years ago

+Aquarium Co-Op That's true I guess it's good to hear the point of view of a fish shop owner. I just thought $30 profit was very good. I guess until you have experienced selling a product for profit to the public you tend to think in terms of what's fair and unfair a little. So thank you for the little reality check I needed.

Aquarium Co-Op - 8 years ago

+Marc Faraday Why were you upset? Did they tell you to breed them and they'd give you $5 each? Profit margins are different for every business. Maybe their business model requires that. You could always sell to their competitor if they'll give a higher price. Just because something sells for more than what you think is fair doesn't mean you can't make money. Mcdonalds sells sodas for dollars, when its 3 cents for the cup and soda inside of it. And yet someone who is supplying them with the cups and syrup is making a lot of money also. If you were making money on those rainbows at $1.50, which most likely you weren't due to grow out time. Unless you were selling them small. Then you would be happy if they sold 1000 of them a month and you were making $500 or more a month on those rainbows. Breeders need to separate what they get for a fish and what the store gets for a fish, those two prices are completely different. You should focus on what you need for the fish to make money. Why is $5 reasonable? Do you have a detailed cost list of how much it takes to produce the fish? If the logic is just because they sell it for $35 you should get $5. That doesn't matter. Maybe they already have a source that provides them the fish for $1.60. You need to look at it like a business if you're going to turn your hobby into a business.

sam pollard - 8 years ago

Why do you say that people don't buy fish in the summer?

Aquarium Co-Op - 8 years ago

+sam pollard Well it's just a fact that less fish are sold during the summer. It's harder to ship in hot weather. People go on vacations and don't want to buy fish before they go on vacation. Lots of people do outdoor activities which just consumes their money etc. It's not that no one buys fish but it goes way down and stores rely on koi sales.

George Pride - 8 years ago

Corey,

I really appreciate this series and its exactly where I am up to down here in Aus., I currently breed guppies, red cherrys, black cherrys and bristlenose for my LFS and beyond, I am also selling Java Moss, Java Fern, Amazon Swords, Azolla, Anubias & African Water Fern. I have a 10 tank setup but looking to add 4-5 more tanks. What would you recommend species wise as the best path forward to add something complimentary to my offering...

Aquarium Co-Op - 8 years ago

I plan to respond to as many people as possible for as long as possible. Only way to make new fishy friends and help each other.

George Pride - 8 years ago

Thanks Corey I really appreciate you getting back to me. Im religiously following what you are up to on here and never thought I'd get a response. I've bred regular corydroas in the past so might look into the Sterbai idea in a bit more detail. Thanks again.

Aquarium Co-Op - 8 years ago

+George Pride In my opinion one of the best things you could add to what you breed is a nano fish. That way it could live with guppies and with your shrimp. Maybe something like Heterandria Formosa? Small, livebearer, easy to breed. Not the flashiest fish, but easy to make and could live in small tanks with shrimp at customers homes. I'd have to think of some more, but corydoras if you had the skills to do it like sterbai would be a good choice as well.

Ron Griese - 8 years ago

Great info thanks.

Aquarium Co-Op - 8 years ago

+Ron Griese No problemo.

Steven Brown - 8 years ago

true video...I heard you could sell yellow labs all day,so I breed labs only..500-800 a week..50 -100 would would of worked with another 6 varieties of fish..and I was selling to a small wholesaler ony.All good advice.

Aquarium Co-Op - 8 years ago

+Steven Brown Everything in moderation :)

FishyMats - 8 years ago

Mind blown.

FishyMats - 8 years ago

+Aquarium Co-Op I've made all the mistakes in this video... So I've got some fences to mend but I hope so too! Ps GIRL fish breeder right here I'm glad you acknowledged that we exist!

Aquarium Co-Op - 8 years ago

+FishyMats I'm hoping in a good way :)

tmbacz - 8 years ago

Great vid Cory! Excellent tips. Really appreciate the sincerity.

Aaron Harley - 8 years ago

very educational looking forward to the rest of the series

ajuanton - 8 years ago

do you need a license or permit to breed fish and sell them? also, great job. keep up the work

ajuanton - 8 years ago

+Aquarium Co-Op thanks!

Aquarium Co-Op - 8 years ago

+ajuanton Well, you should report any income to the IRS, if you start doing more than 400 I think it is a year, you should have a business license.

madcypress L.L. - 8 years ago

Great video

John Martinez - 8 years ago

Damn Cory, you're on a roll here, what a series. Advocating for honesty, restraint, and steadiness over greed will do the hobby a lot of good. A small request for future video-advice on technical details like culling, line breeding, things to avoid (incest?). Loving the series so far.

Aquarium Co-Op - 8 years ago

+John Martinez Sure, I'll work that into a future part of this series.

b.a. Warman - 8 years ago

Awesome video. You said you were going to talk about who not to sell to?

Aquarium Co-Op - 8 years ago

+b.a. Warman Probably address it in a different video. I've got more videos in the series to come out still :)

Rich's Fishes - 8 years ago

Loving this topic Cory. I'll admit that somewhere in the back of my mind I always think of turning this hobby into a job lol (or at least turn it into something that can pay for itself!). Need to pick your brain a bit more on this though (I'd love to sit down in person with you one day and talk shop!.....let me know if you ever make it out to NY!). Interesting to hear your thoughts on this with the angelfish example and the various stores vs craigslist etc. A lot of what you describe seems to sort of assume a relatively knowledgeable end customer who is willing to comparison shop at the various LFS. What would you say your "average customer" in the store is ? I would've always assumed that selling to various LFS is a good idea. The stores that have been around a while obviously are able to compete with one another and already have very very similar stock. So I'm surprised to hear you advise against selling to the multiple stores. As a business owner do you think geography plays any part in this? Would the same "rules" apply throughout the country (or the world)? I'd assume that the hobbyists who already know to check out craigslist, aquabid, forums, local clubs etc. is not buying much from the LFS to begin with and from that I wouldn't imagine cragislist really competing too much with the LFS.

Rich's Fishes - 8 years ago

+Aquarium Co-Op makes sense. Thanks!

Aquarium Co-Op - 8 years ago

+Rich's Fishes Well fish is no different than cheeseburgers. While Mcdonalds, Jack In the Box, and Burger King all sell cheeseburgers. They are all slightly different. Yet everyone has an opinion on who makes the best cheeseburger etc. The same goes on with fish. People may not shop other stores every time. But most hobbyists will stop by a store if they were already driving by. If all of a sudden they notice everything is cheaper at one store, they may have a bad image of the store they were using. I did a survey of my customer base. I polled 100 people online that were customers. On average they owned 5 or more aquariums. Before the survey I would have said 1-2 would have been the norm.

Fish Behind Glass - 8 years ago

How long did it take you to learn all of this? Is breeding how you got started? Fascinating topic.

Aquarium Co-Op - 8 years ago

+Fish Behind Glass I'd say it took 5-10 years of indepth research, breeding and trial and error. I went from just owning some tanks to working at a store 2 years later. To opening up my own store 5-6 years after that. Now 4 years after that here I am sharing knowledge. Keep in mind that this whole time for the past 10+ years. This was 100% my only income was tropical fish, so you learn a few things on the job :)

DEA- Exotics - 8 years ago

great video

alvarengaedgar - 8 years ago

very nice info def the way to start thanks for making this videos it helps a lot!!!!

alvarengaedgar - 8 years ago

+Aquarium Co-Op yes thank you please do not many out there say it like it is sometimes we need to be told lol i just went on a spree today of discus in my dreams of becoming the worlds best breeder and found your video and answered many of my questions so thank you for your good work

Aquarium Co-Op - 8 years ago

+alvarengaedgar Good luck. I'll give the info, now you've just gotta do the work :)

KG cichlids - 8 years ago

I have a feeling I could sell to my lfs since they trust me enough to catch my own fish unsupervised lol

Aquarium Co-Op - 8 years ago

+Kevin Green Yeah. I'd say $1.50-$2 is a decent rate for those depending on how many people are locally breeding and demand.

KG cichlids - 8 years ago

Got a holding yellow tail acei and they sell them at 5 a piece so maybe I could get a buck or two if they are interested.

Aquarium Co-Op - 8 years ago

+Kevin Green Probably, just make sure you sell em something they can sell :)

; Expected - 8 years ago

I really love this one, people don't understand bubbles when it comes to economies and you explained it really well! I think you also explained really well why slow and steady growth is better than instant gratification of big profits that dies off fast

Also why does noone buy fish in the summer? I would expect they dont buy in the winter, but supply is low in the winter because shipping is less reliable.

Aquarium Co-Op - 8 years ago

+; Expected Well in the summer people are enjoying outdoor hobbies that overlap the fish tank hobby. Such as gardening. Ponds, nature activities like hiking etc. People who are into nature, are into fish a lot of times etc. I shouldn't say no one buys fish but it does go way down in the summer months.

Michael's Fish Room - 8 years ago

Another great video Cory! My LFS gave me 8 nickel sized angels to breed because I have been talking about it for months! I have a few months to go with hem, but I love it! Great advice, great tips.

Aquarium Co-Op - 8 years ago

+Michael Skurnik Good luck, and make sure you pay that store back 10 fold if you're successful. One spawn and you should have 500 fry :P

SevernRunAquatics - 8 years ago

Thank-you for making this real fish talk series Cory! I'm really enjoying it. You have a way of speaking that makes it very personal and enjoyable.

Aquarium Co-Op - 8 years ago

+SevernRunAquatics I find that if I just talk about my real experiences it comes out personal. Thanks for watching.

Rico Suave - 8 years ago

Wow you really open my eyes at the end when you mention about selling online I feel a lot more appreciate of some of the stuff they do for me I need to send them some flowers or something

Aquarium Co-Op - 8 years ago

+Rico Suave It's all part of selling online... There is money there, there is just lots of work there too. :)

P0HTAT0 - 8 years ago

I am very happy to find you and that you are going threw this little series because Once upon a time "90's" I was breading fish and learned many of the point's you have mentioned first hand and have long forgot... Now that I have decided corporate America is just not for me I will be getting back into breeding and this is a great refresher coarse to help keep myself from shooting my own foot. Thank you truly

Aquarium Co-Op - 8 years ago

+P0HTAT0 Right on, good luck with the fishies :)

Rico Suave - 8 years ago

Happy happy happy

Iowa Discus - 8 years ago

Great vid, lots of good info. I get your point about competition between stores, but has it been your experience that people go to more than one fish store? I sometimes get the feeling that people go to the one they like most or have a good relationship with. Also, I haven't tried but I highly doubt you could unload 50 angels on FB in a month, lol. Depends on your location I guess.

Aquarium Co-Op - 8 years ago

+Iowa Discus I think location around the country makes things very different. I won't say most clientele shop multiple stores. But I have 5 competitors 30 miles or less from my store. They are all independent shops. Not petcos and petsmarts etc. And thats just the other freshwater stores, not including saltwater stores. Some states you'll be lucky to find 1 store in 300 miles etc.

Ebay Guru - 8 years ago

Great video and very interesting.. I am in the uk and we dont have many family shops anymore they are all becoming Pet Store which is a sad thing.. But your 100% right its what you say about relationships.. this is the same template for all businesses it common sense and most of all.. rewarding when done right.. I hope this video changed a few breeders views and we all benifit from quality home grown fish .. look forward to Tuesdays tip ;o)

Aquarium Co-Op - 8 years ago

+Ebay Guru Thanks for watching, yeah I've been in contact with someone who wants to open their own store in the UK. So hopefully more independents will open up there.

Damion Markham - 8 years ago

Very interesting information , so what about fuel cost ,driving four hours for 30 dollars seems like a loss.so I understand three products a month $90 hit two stores out of the area $180
so guess the initial first trips are building the relationship ,
truly a labor of love

Aquarium Co-Op - 8 years ago

+Damion Markham Yeah obviously you'd have to have it make sense. But yes in the beginning you'll be working for basically no money to build relationships.

hdjc86 - 8 years ago

awesome series. thanks for this. been thinking about what direction to take the hobby. when I get back to the States I will give this a shot. worst case scenario it's an affordable and fun way to build practical business skills.

Aquarium Co-Op - 8 years ago

+hdjc86 Yep, the trick is to treat it like a business. Lots of people think it's easy. But realize you're competing with people who take it as a business :)

Russell Beach - 8 years ago

Thanks Cory ! Ok now I know how much work may be involved. But atleast it is a start. I really appreciate all you are doing. Say hey to Lamont.

Aquarium Co-Op - 8 years ago

+Russell Beach Will do, he's coming over tonight to do some filming :)

Old School Fish Guy - 8 years ago

Outstanding video - if people don't believe you, I can tell them that while I am no longer a major breeder, in the 1980s I was a major breeder - we had one local fish store and they hooked me up with a wholesaler (different world than today) - I delivered my fish to the LFS and they passed them on to the wholesaler and I made quite a bit of money --- and I NEVER sold a fish to anyone else, not a single one - I didn't even talk about our arrangement because I was afraid others would horn in LOL

Old School Fish Guy - 8 years ago

Only a few years and a bazillion hours ROFL but I loved what I was doing --- never made enough to even consider making it a business, but it sure helped keep the wife off my back on what I was spending on the hobby LOL

Aquarium Co-Op - 8 years ago

+Old School Fish Guy Yeah, once you get a good thing going. It can be very profitable. But it takes time to build that up.

opticalriot - 8 years ago

can you do information on food when breeding.. I cant imagine selling fish for 35 to 50 cents when you have been feeding them, heating them, and running a sponge filter. I watch all your videos and i know your fish room is heated and you don't run heaters, but one tank, no fish room might need a heater. and cheap food or good food?

opticalriot - 8 years ago

+Aquarium Co-Op Thank you!

Aquarium Co-Op - 8 years ago

+opticalriot Sure I'll go over that in this series too, Thanks for pointing that out! But for some quick statements. A 300 watt heater running 24/7 never shutting off in my state costs about $18 a month. And a 20 gallon would use a 100 watt heater and be on maybe 50% of the time. So you've got about $5 in power there to run that tank. Probably less really. And food. I always feed the best quality food I can get my hands on. It means less work inside the tanks for maintenance, faster growth and healthier fish. That being said there are tips on what food to buy etc. I can go over that etc. Great question. I'm glad you asked.

FortWayne Fishtanks - 8 years ago

Very helpful

0 - 8 years ago

tanks 4 the sharing all helpful & useful information big thumbs up & as always happy fish keeping

Steve W - 8 years ago

TL:DR Don't F over your LFS, or you'll be sorry.

Steve W - 8 years ago

Yeah. I agree with everything you said. I just thought it was funny that it all boiled down to those 9 words.
Thanks for making this series. It's interesting to see how the world of breeding fish works. It's also convinced me that I have zero interest in doing all of that work for such little return. I'll stick to my single ten gallon tank. :D

Aquarium Co-Op - 8 years ago

+Steve W Essentially, but a lot of people today don't know the basics of establishing a relationship. Most people can't even bring in a resume when trying to get a job at the fish store etc.

mo khan - 8 years ago

3rd

mo khan - 8 years ago

2nd

100. comment for Breeding Fish For Profit Part 2 / How to make your first $1000 Breeding Fish. Real Fish Talk

0 - 8 years ago

1st

About Breeding Fish For Profit Part 2 / How to make your first $1000 Breeding Fish. Real Fish Talk

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