Home-based goldfish and fish supplies business

Local families and hobbyists wanting quality goldfish, and online customers buying fish-keeping supplies.

Margin on live fish sold locally, plus online sales of food and equipment. Specialist or well-bred varieties can bring a better price.

• Good fish husbandry and water testing
• Basic online selling and photography
• Clear, honest advice for beginners

• Selling pet animals, including from home, usually needs a council licence, so check before you sell anything
• Planning permission or lease and mortgage restrictions on running a business from home
• Posting live fish is a welfare risk, and many carriers do not allow it, so check before offering it
• Public liability insurance, including for customers visiting your home
• Fish losses from disease or equipment failure, and the cost of electricity for pumps and heaters

Startup costs are estimated at typically around £2,000 to £8,000, depending on your tanks, filtration, heating, opening stock and how you set up your online shop. Ongoing electricity for pumps and heaters is also worth budgeting for.

Selling pet animals, including from home, usually needs a council licence, so check before you sell anything. Also check planning permission, lease or mortgage restrictions, public liability cover for visitors, and whether carriers allow posting live fish.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around £500 to £3,000, depending on how many fish you sell locally and how much you sell online, with at least 10 hours a week. Fish losses from disease or equipment failure can reduce this.