Need Advice... Clown Fish Economics

[cball86]

Hey Guys... I have a rather long story but to make it short I was in need of a hobby and became interested in attempting to breed clown fish. After several months of researching, purchasing brood stock, purchasing equipment, raising fry and spending far to many hours in my garage designing and building a grow out rack I have finally reached the point where several of my first batches will soon become sell able.

My question becomes the valuation of my fish and what fair market value should be both wholesale and retail. I plan on selling them in 2 channels. first to other hobbyists on local forums and word of mouth and second to a few lfs's that have already expressed interest. My concern is attempting to get fair market value, not ripping off either my customers or myself. I know there are many of you out there with years and decades of experience that could offer advice. I've done my best to research similar fish and pricing but this specific mix has been hard to find a baseline. I understand much depends on the final color patters so i guess im just looking for an average range.

Thanks in advance, here is what im working with...

Dad is a Platnium and mom is a great Onyx.





3 months old (these are currently the oldest group, I have 6 total batches in various stages from this par.







sorry for the poor camera skills

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3znjCzq2w4


My thoughts judging them at this point is that about 1/4 to 1/2 will be close to a standard Onyx with the other 1/2 to 3/4 being some variation of a Picasso Onyx... some of the white patters are super wild. The darker colors are just starting to come in.

 

[cball86]

Anyone out there with experience would be appreciated... Thanks

 

[reefstew]

You will find out what they are worth when you bring them to your local fish store to sell them. It is hard to put a price on designer clownfish with all the different ones available, cross bred, & grades between them. I hope your in a big city with a lot of stores. They are now retailing Picasso's for lees then the wholesale cost of them a year ago.

 

[cball86]

You will find out what they are worth when you bring them to your local fish store to sell them. It is hard to put a price on designer clownfish with all the different ones available, cross bred, & grades between them. I hope your in a big city with a lot of stores. They are now retailing Picasso's for lees then the wholesale cost of them a year ago.

For me its more about just enjoying the hobby than making money, I just want to be fair about it.

Walking into a random business and asking what they will give me is not the way to do that because obviously they are motivated to buy them at the lowest price im willing to accept rather than fair market wholesale value.

 

[reefstew]

It's a hard question to answer with designer clownfish. Do you have many stores in your area? You will find it might be harder to sell them then you think unless your willing to ship them.

 

[CliftonArbogast]

In my opinion, you first need to know how much money you spend on raising them, equipment, food, time.. . . then and only then will you know what you can afford to sell them for. Calculate up a profit and put a price on it, you can always work higher or lower depending on inventory turnover.

 

[Papadoum]

I am in exactly the same situation as you right now.

I can sell everything on local forums but honestly, making time for appointments and receiving strangers in my house is a pain in the ***.

I contacted my local LFS and they could care less. Clownfish are dirt cheap right now, even the designers. Not knowing better I offered them a price of 5$ per normal clown and haven't heard from them since.

 

[cball86]

In my opinion, you first need to know how much money you spend on raising them, equipment, food, time.. . . then and only then will you know what you can afford to sell them for. Calculate up a profit and put a price on it, you can always work higher or lower depending on inventory turnover.

To me the costs are irrelevant as the market dictates the price either way. As mentioned I started this because I needed a hobby and enjoy it so If I turn a profit or not its not a big deal. My interest is finding fair ideas of price that similar fish are selling for right now so I can get an idea for a starting point.

lol pretty soon I'll be giving them away as I have about 400 now

 

[woodnaquanut]

Cball, where are you located? I think the quality, 'designer-ness' and market saturation has huge impact on price. Some locales are much more interested in designer clowns and get higher prices. You should expect anywhere between 25-50% of the retail price.

Around here, SF bay area, standard P. ocellaris sell for about $5/each. From what I've been hearing the market is saturated. Some LFS only do store credit. :thumbdown:

If you have a favorite one or two LFSs, contact the owner/manager and see what their policies are concerning hobbyist raised fish. With 400 in the pipeline, you've got to get moving on this before you are overrun!

You will get much better prices for sales directly to individuals. Of course this is really a much more intensive marketing and shipping process. Not really as much fun, IMHO, as raising fish.

 

[AKDmax]

cball86, no chance you're near New Mexico is there?