Local aquarium shop with live fish

Hobbyists, families buying a first tank, schools and office managers, and repeat customers who come back for food, water treatments and replacement fish.

Markup on live fish and plants, tanks, equipment and supplies. Repeat sales of food, filter media and water care products tend to keep customers returning. Extra income can come from tank setup and maintenance visits.

• Knowledge of fish care and water chemistry
• Customer service and patient advice
• Basic bookkeeping and stock control
• Comfortable with physical work like lifting tanks

• Check your state and local rules on selling live animals, including any pet dealer or aquatic animal permits
• Some fish and invasive species are restricted or banned in certain states, so check your state wildlife or agriculture department
• Register with your state for sales tax and check what you need from your city or county
• General liability insurance, and check the cost of covering livestock loss and water damage
• Fish losses from disease, power cuts or equipment failure, so budget for backup power and quarantine tanks
• Commercial leases can be a long commitment, so have a lawyer review before you sign

Startup costs are typically around $25,000 to $100,000, depending on your location, lease, display tanks, equipment and opening stock. These are estimates, so budget for backup power and quarantine tanks too.

Monthly revenue is typically around $6,000 to $30,000, depending on your location, range and how many repeat customers you build. The estimate assumes about 40 hours per week of work.

Check your state and local rules on selling live animals, including pet dealer or aquatic animal permits, and any restricted or banned species with your state wildlife or agriculture department. Also check sales tax registration and insurance.