Starting an Aquarium Business

An aquarium business provides two services to private aquarium owners. Aquarium retail stores stock many varieties of home aquariums and supplies, along with a varied stock of freshwater and saltwater fish. Aquarium staff provides system start up and maintenance advice. Aquarium stores also service a non-hobbyist aquarium market. These customers include homeowners with no time or desire to maintain an aquarium, as well as professional offices with decorative aquariums. Aquarium store staff regularly stock, clean and maintain aquariums for these customers.

Step 1

Structure your aquarium business. Determine a business structure with assistance from a Certified Public Accountant familiar with pet-related businesses. Consult with a commercial insurance agent with similar background and liability experience. Obtain a business license at your city or county clerk’s office, and ask about required permits. Call your state department of revenue about a sales tax license. Contact your state department of agriculture about your need for a live fish license.

Step 2

Select a visible and accessible location. Find a location easily reached by main roads, and with good access and customer parking. Obtain written zoning approval before you sign a lease. Work with a sign-making company to create descriptive building signage that includes colorful fish graphics.

Step 3

Identify your aquarium business competitors. Locate other aquarium retail stores within an hour’s drive. Competitors include big box stores with small fish departments and basic aquarium supplies, as well as pet stores with expanded tropical fish selections and more aquarium models. Visit each store anonymously, and notice general product selection and aquarium cleanliness. Observe staff knowledge and customer interactions as well.

Step 4

Determine your aquarium products and services. Design a quality aquarium store that offers systems for every knowledge level and price. Compile basic equipment and supply packages, plus add-ons, such as extra tank scenery and higher-priced fish. Include larger systems for offices and upscale residences. Identify unmet needs your store can fill. For example, decorative aquariums may be popular nationwide, but these aquariums may not be locally available. Develop prices for aquarium maintenance services as well.

Step 5

Order your aquarium equipment and supplies. Compile an equipment list that includes varied sizes of aquariums, filters, chemicals and other maintenance supplies. Add tank environment items, such as faux coral and plants. Select decorative units such as table aquariums and water columns as well. Order your products from a wholesale source to maximize your profit. Order your fish species from a well-stocked supplier with fast turnaround time. Include popular freshwater and saltwater aquarium fish, as well as new species of interest.

Step 6

Hire aquarium-savvy sales and maintenance staff. Find local fish enthusiasts and hobbyists through marine aquarium clubs (See Resources). Contact high school biology club advisers and college biology department heads. Ask instructors to recommend students who are knowledgeable about aquarium operation. Place newspaper ads for staff with marine biology expertise and good customer service skills.

Step 7

Host a tropical fish-themed open house. Invite your customers to enjoy an undersea environment complete with faux corals and sea fans. Display portable aquariums throughout the store, and showcase larger aquariums in operation. Schedule fish care experts to speak on new aquarium species and equipment trends. Conduct hourly product giveaways, and utilize names for a mailing list. Offer introductory discounts on full aquarium systems. Advertise the event in newspapers’ community sections. Distribute fliers to school science clubs, marine aquarium clubs and upscale offices.

Things Needed

• Business structure documentation
• Insurance documentation
• Business license
• Permits (if applicable)
• Sales tax license
• State department of agriculture license
• Written zoning approval
• Lease
• Building signage
• Written observations about competitors
• Aquarium equipment and supplies package information
• Aquarium maintenance service price sheet
• Equipment and supplies order
• Fish order
• Ad rates and copy for newspaper "Help Wanted" ads
• Entry forms for open house giveaways
• Introductory discount sheets
• Ad rates and copy for newspaper open house ads
• Fliers

References (4)

• Aquariumpros.com: The Aquarium Retail Store
• IRS.gov: State Revenue Sites
• National Association of State Departments of Agriculture: State Directory
• Starting an Aquarium Business

Resources (4)

• Pet Wholesaler.com: Aquarium Products
• Aquarium Supply Store V8: Furniture Aquariums or Exotics
• Segrest Farms: Wholesale Ornamental Fish Distributors: About Us
• Nano-Reef.com: Reef Aquarium Clubs

About the Author

Based in North Carolina, Felicia Greene has written professionally since 1986. Greene edited sailing-related newsletters and designed marketing programs for the New Bern, N.C. "Sun Journal" and New Bern Habitat ReStore. She earned a Bachelor of Science in business administration from the University of Baltimore.

Photo Credits (3)

• Aquarium Business
• Aquarium Business
• Aquarium Business