Sell your home-bred fish to a Local Fish Store (LFS). Selling is a rewarding way to fund your hobby. Most independent stores prefer locally raised fish because they are already acclimated to the local water and haven’t suffered the stress of long-distance shipping.
Here is a step-by-step guide to making your first sale.
1. Prepare Your Fish for Sale
Stores generally won’t buy “fry” in the sense of tiny, uncolored babies. They want “sellable” fish that can go straight into their display tanks.
- Size Matters: Most fish should be at least 1 to 1.5 inches (standard “juvenile” size). For angelfish, wait until they are at least the size of a nickel.
- Quality Control: Only sell the best. “Cull” (remove) any fish with bent spines, clamped fins, or stunted growth. A store will stop buying from you if your fish have genetic defects.
- Fasting: Do not feed your fish for 24 hours before transport. This prevents them from fouling the water in their transport bags with waste, which can lead to ammonia spikes.
2. Research and Outreach
Don’t just show up with a bucket of fish. Managers are busy and often have specific delivery days.
- Find the Right Store: Small, independent shops are your best bet. Large chains (Petco, PetSmart) generally have corporate contracts and cannot buy from individuals.
- The “Cold Call”: Call ahead or visit without fish first. Ask for the manager or the livestock buyer.“Hi, I’m a local hobbyist breeding Show Guppies. Do you ever buy from local breeders, or would you be interested in seeing some samples?”
- Timing: Avoid visiting on their “shipment days” (usually mid-week when they are busy unpacking hundreds of fish). Early afternoons on Tuesdays or Wednesdays are usually best.
3. The Business Deal
Expect to receive significantly less than the retail price you see on the glass.
- Pricing Strategy: A good rule of thumb is to ask for 25% to 33% of the retail price. If they sell a fish for $6.00, expect $1.50 to $2.00.
- Store Credit vs. Cash: Almost every store prefers giving store credit. You can often get a higher “price” in credit (e.g., $2.00 credit vs. $1.00 cash). It’s a win-win: they move inventory, and you get “free” fish food and supplies.
- Bring Samples: If it’s your first time, bring a small container with 2–3 of your best specimens to show the manager the quality and color.
4. Transporting Safely
How you deliver the fish reflects your professionalism.
- Use Proper Bags: Use “breather bags” or standard poly-bags doubled up. Fill 1/3 with water and 2/3 with air (or oxygen if you have it).
- Temperature Control: Place the bags inside a Styrofoam cooler or an insulated lunch bag. Temperature swings during a 20-minute car ride can stress the fish enough to cause “Ich” or death later.
- Labeling: Use a Sharpie to write the species name and quantity on the bag. This makes the store’s intake process much easier.
Comparison: Popular Species for Local Sale
| Species | Best Size to Sell | Demand Level | Why Stores Love Them |
| Bristlenose Plecos | 1.5 – 2″ | Very High | Always in demand for algae control; hardy. |
| Fancy Guppies | Adult color | High | Local guppies are much hardier than imports. |
| Neocaridina Shrimp | 0.5″ (Juvenile) | High | Easy to ship; don’t require much tank space. |
| Angelfish | Nickel/Quarter | Medium | Locally bred angels have much better fin shapes. |
| Convict Cichlids | Any | Very Low | They breed too easily; stores usually have too many. |
A Quick Note on Regulations
In the U.S., hobbyists are generally exempt from USDA licensing if they sell only “cold-blooded animals” like fish. However, if you start making thousands of dollars, check your local state laws regarding a “Live Bait” or “Retailer” license, and remember that PayPal/Venmo may report earnings over a certain threshold for taxes.