Online aquarium supplies shop

Hobbyists who want a wider range or better prices than they can find locally, including those buying for planted or specialist tanks.

Margin on products sold through your own website or marketplaces, with repeat orders for food and treatments. You can focus on a niche such as planted tanks or shrimp keeping.

• Good knowledge of aquariums and kit
• Product listings and basic photography
• Packing and order handling
• Customer service by email

• Selling live animals online has welfare and licensing rules, so check with your council before offering any livestock
• Some water treatments and chemicals have labelling and shipping rules, so check with your supplier
• Heavy and fragile items cost a lot to post, so work out delivery costs carefully
• Distance selling rules on returns and refunds, plus public liability and product insurance

Startup costs are typically around £1,000 to £5,000, depending on the range of stock you buy and how you set up your website. These are estimates, so compare supplier prices before you commit to any stock.

Selling live animals online has welfare and licensing rules, so check with your council before offering any livestock. Many new sellers start with dry goods only. Also check labelling and shipping rules for water treatments and chemicals with your supplier.

Monthly revenue is typically around £300 to £3,000, depending on your range, pricing and marketing. Work out delivery costs carefully, as heavy and fragile items cost a lot to post. Expect at least about 8 hours a week.