Tropical fish and aquarium shop

Hobbyist aquarium keepers, beginners setting up a first tank, families, and people replacing fish or equipment.

Margin on live fish, plus higher-value tanks and equipment, and regular repeat sales of food, treatments and accessories.

• Knowledge of fish care and water chemistry
• Customer service and friendly advice
• Stock control and ordering
• Comfortable with daily tank maintenance

• Animal welfare rules: check whether you need a pet shop licence from your local council, as this can apply to selling animals
• Public liability and stock insurance, including cover for tank leaks or equipment failure
• Running costs such as electricity, water testing and heating, which are ongoing and can be high
• Fish losses from disease or equipment failure, so plan for some wastage
• Business rates, lease terms and any planning use rules for the premises, so check with the council

Estimates are typically around £15,000 to £60,000, depending on the premises, display tanks, equipment and opening stock. Running costs such as electricity, water testing and heating are ongoing and can be high, so allow for them.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £4,000 to £18,000, depending on location, range and how many customers you attract. This is revenue, not profit, and fish losses from disease or equipment failure mean you should plan for some wastage.

Check whether you need a pet shop licence from your local council, as this can apply to selling animals. Also check public liability and stock insurance, business rates, lease terms and any planning use rules for the premises.