Tank-Based fish farm in a shed

Restaurants, fishmongers, local seafood retailers, food distributors and direct customers wanting fresh local fish.

Selling harvested fish by the kilo, whole or filleted, with regular supply to a few reliable buyers as the main income.

• Water chemistry and equipment troubleshooting
• Daily animal care and feeding routines
• Record keeping and cost tracking
• Building relationships with chefs and retailers

• Aquaculture licensing and species rules, which vary by state, so check with your state authority
• Council planning approval for a shed or tank site, and rules on wastewater discharge
• Power cuts or pump failure can kill a stock quickly, so consider backup power and alarms
• Seafood food safety and processing requirements if you fillet or pack, check with your state food authority
• Public liability and property insurance, and high running costs for power and feed

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $30,000 to $150,000, depending on tank size, pumps and filtration, your shed or site, and backup power. Running costs for power and feed are also high, so budget for them separately.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on how much fish you produce and who you sell to. Hours are estimated from about 25 per week. Power cuts or pump failure can kill stock quickly, so plan for backup.

Check aquaculture licensing and species rules with your state authority, council planning approval for a shed or tank site, and wastewater discharge rules. Also check seafood food safety requirements if you fillet or pack, and public liability and property insurance.