Starting Fish Store/Hatchery

[paulW]

Not to be a downer, but before you start this, you should go around and guage the interest and see what customers you can get. This is probably a very niche market.
Even if you could crank out hundreds per month, who is going to buy them all?

Call the wholesellers, local shops, etc and ask what they need.

I have a feeling there may not be a whole lot of money in Rays. Figure out how much it will cost to raise each one and how many you need to sell in order to make ends meet.

Plan on the business not being profitable for a long time.

I remember reading an article about how the Florida fish farms are really being squeezed.

My advice is to try to start a different business with your grant and keep fish as a hobby.. because as soon as you make it a business, it will not be fun anymore.

 

[stingrayJK]

Well everyone,
I want to thank you for all the valid advice and concerns, I understand something like this will take years and years to get a good breeding program for rays up and running. But its not the only thing I am going to work on ...... there are other fish I can sell in the mean time. I do have a plan. I also have spoken to Mike at H 2/0 and I could not agree more that he is an upstanding guy and very good at what he does. I only hope that my breeding program will be half as well as his. But I am sure he will agree that the more breeders there are the better for all involved.

As to my experiance I have been in the hobby for over 20 years and I have owned and operated my own koi farm in California (SO.CAL KOI) Before I joined the army. Now that I am getting out of the army. I am going to start this new company and I will my best. If it work great if not lessons learned no problem pick myself up and try once more.

I have learned one thing in life if your dare not to try.You will hate yourself later for giving up on your self.
Please dont get me wrong I hear what alot of you are saying but I am a do type of person not I wish I had person. Not everyone can handle starting a company. I know for a fact I can.

so... if thier are any suggestions as to what you would like to see done at my store when it opens that you wish other LFS dont do let me know I might try it ...best way for me to provide to your needs as my customers is to listion to you and your ideas.

Thanks Jason

 

[stingrayJK]

Ok folks I have started the company DARK RIVERS HATCHERY.I plan on getting open with in the next 4 months. I am currently having my tanks systems planned out by a firm to set it all up and custom built. I am also about to sign a contract for a nice space with close to 2800 sq ft for my tanks alone.

I look forward to serving everyone in the greater Harpers Ferry WV area.
More details soon

Jason

 

[Davey_8313]

Congratulations on getting the store and stuff man. Keep us updated w/ the tank and filter install...

 

[dirtyblacksocks]

From one disabled Vet to another thanks for your service - take things slow, maybe start off with importing and keep an eye out for good looking specimins as you rotate stock to start breeding projects with.

 

[Davey_8313]

You should keep some monsters in stock also... Harpers Ferry is less than two hours from me,

 

[stingrayJK]

Congratulations on getting the store and stuff man. Keep us updated w/ the tank and filter install...

it will be a little while bud...I am taking you advice and everyone else for that matter. Plus I am still in the the army. The army is taking its sweet time to medical retire me out ...so I am juggling this trying to get things ready in time from afar.

Jason

 

[stingrayJK]

You should keep some monsters in stock also... Harpers Ferry is less than two hours from me,

From one disabled Vet to another thanks for your service - take things slow, maybe start off with importing and keep an eye out for good looking specimins as you rotate stock to start breeding projects with.

Guys you can count on seeing decent monsters if you have needs let me know and pm me I will see what I can do for you. and to all my fewllow vets thank you for your service

Jason

 

[dirtyblacksocks]

Be patient with your discharge - don't let them screw you on what your DD214 says - shoot for 20% at the least. Either way the V.A. makes their own determination on your rating when you're out, and it takes even more time.

I sat around at a TRADOC base for 8 months waiting for my discharge - it was hell.

 

[Pharaoh]

I wish you the best of luck with your endeavor.