Tank-Based fish farm in a shed

Restaurants, fishmongers, specialty grocers, and households buying fresh or live fish direct.

Sales per kilo of harvested fish, often with a premium for fresh local supply. Regular weekly orders from a few buyers matter more than occasional large sales.

• Technical mindset for pumps, filters and water testing
• Daily animal care and record keeping
• Building relationships with chefs and retailers

• Aquaculture licences and species rules, which vary by state, so check before buying equipment or stock
• Council planning approval and zoning for a shed, tanks and wastewater discharge
• High power use and the risk of equipment failure, which can wipe out stock quickly
• Food safety registration and labelling for selling seafood, check with your council and state authority
• Long wait before the first harvest, so make sure you have enough funds to cover running costs

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $200,000 to $750,000, depending on the scale and equipment you choose. There is also a long wait before the first harvest, so make sure you have funds to cover running costs.

Check aquaculture licences and species rules, which vary by state, before buying equipment or stock. Also check council planning approval and zoning for the shed, tanks and wastewater discharge, plus food safety registration and labelling for selling seafood.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $3,000 to $14,000, depending on your stock and sales channels. Plan on at least about 25 hours a week, and note that power use and equipment failure can put stock at risk quickly.