Is it worth it?

CL8869 · 03/05/2017, 04:06 PM

Just wondering from a financial standpoint. Is it worth picking up another pair of clowns to breed and raise the fry? Has anyone actually made enough cash doing this to put the money back into buying supplies for their main display tank etc?

Seriously considering doing this, was just wondering if you think its worth it. Thanks!

windlasher · 03/05/2017, 04:42 PM

Raising clowns isn't simply buying a pair and turning up the Barry White. It's a massive endeavor and usually a complete failure. Search here for some very long threads on it. There are quite a few. Then buy the following book and read it three or four times before you decide.

https://www.amazon.com/Clownfishes-J.../dp/B00DDTQ6AI

CoralsAddiction · 03/05/2017, 04:49 PM

Unless you have a big plan of becoming a viable commercial hatchery, which requires a lot of work, it's not worth it from the financial perspective.
Coral farming is easier but also more competitive. That said, I've had better ROI from coral fragging than I would with clownfish breeding on a hobbyist level.

hbrochs · 03/06/2017, 07:49 AM

It's not worth it as a money maker. Sales can help offset the cost of the hobby, but you do it because you enjoy the process.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

CL8869 · 03/06/2017, 08:35 AM

Thanks for the honest advice. And the turning up the barry white comment made me lol. Reading a lot of those threads, it does seem it is a TON of work. Way different than freshwater breeding that is for sure.

I think I will just leave my pair in my 180 and not bother with it. I don't think it is for me.

Mashaw · 03/26/2017, 12:09 AM

I have a mate that does breed, i would not say he has it down to an art, but he is not far off it, but yes he does make some good money, enough money to cover his cost for his breeding set up and his display and even enough money to put a little back in his pocket

If you do it for the fun to start with and understand you wont make anything huge, i think you could very well come close to breaking even or atleast making afew dollars to help cover costs

ThRoewer · 03/28/2017, 01:30 AM

I tried it at a time when there wasn't much competition and even then it was impossible to break even. And I had it down to a near industrial level, so formalized that my mom could do it. The issue are energy cost (light, heat, pumps), water and of course space. It's no coincident that many of the more efficient hatcheries are in locations where they can get at least some of those factors for free.

Then there is the issue of selling off stock. Every fish you can't sell on time cost you money and is taking up space you can't use for the next batch. So you need to have a reliable customer base that take the fish you breed off your hands - not an easy task...

And finally, when you get large enough you may need to hire staff.

All of this doesn't even account for food cultures in case you want to breed something other than clownfish (clownfish can be bred with brine shrimp, frozen and dry food alone).

Denbf58 · 04/09/2017, 04:28 PM

you have to love doing it. a lot of work if you are successful you can recoup your investment if you have the outlet to sell them. will it cover your time doubtful. right know I have three tanks with about 40 juvenile the the kitchen thank god my wife puts up with me

03/05/2017, 04:06 PM	#1
CL8869 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: RI Posts: 60	Is it worth it? Just wondering from a financial standpoint. Is it worth picking up another pair of clowns to breed and raise the fry? Has anyone actually made enough cash doing this to put the money back into buying supplies for their main display tank etc? Seriously considering doing this, was just wondering if you think its worth it. Thanks!

03/05/2017, 04:42 PM	#2
windlasher Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 504	Raising clowns isn't simply buying a pair and turning up the Barry White. It's a massive endeavor and usually a complete failure. Search here for some very long threads on it. There are quite a few. Then buy the following book and read it three or four times before you decide. https://www.amazon.com/Clownfishes-J.../dp/B00DDTQ6AI __________________ --- PLEASE HELP SAVE THE DOLPHINS In case we run out of chicken. ---

03/06/2017, 07:49 AM	#4
hbrochs Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Westchester, NY Posts: 439	It's not worth it as a money maker. Sales can help offset the cost of the hobby, but you do it because you enjoy the process. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ 80 Gallon Innovative Marine long shallow reef 30 Gallon tank for raising baby clownfish Current Tank Info: Innovative Marine SR-80

03/06/2017, 08:35 AM	#5
CL8869 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: RI Posts: 60	Thanks for the honest advice. And the turning up the barry white comment made me lol. Reading a lot of those threads, it does seem it is a TON of work. Way different than freshwater breeding that is for sure. I think I will just leave my pair in my 180 and not bother with it. I don't think it is for me. __________________ 180G DT - 150 Gallon sump system using (3) 55G tanks linked and pumped back with a Reeflo Goby.

03/28/2017, 01:30 AM	#7
ThRoewer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Fremont, CA Posts: 9,555	I tried it at a time when there wasn't much competition and even then it was impossible to break even. And I had it down to a near industrial level, so formalized that my mom could do it. The issue are energy cost (light, heat, pumps), water and of course space. It's no coincident that many of the more efficient hatcheries are in locations where they can get at least some of those factors for free. Then there is the issue of selling off stock. Every fish you can't sell on time cost you money and is taking up space you can't use for the next batch. So you need to have a reliable customer base that take the fish you breed off your hands - not an easy task... And finally, when you get large enough you may need to hire staff. All of this doesn't even account for food cultures in case you want to breed something other than clownfish (clownfish can be bred with brine shrimp, frozen and dry food alone). __________________ Pairs: 4 percula, 3 P. kauderni, 3 D. excisus, 1 ea of P. diacanthus, S. splendidus, C. altivelis O. rosenblatti, D. janssi, S. yasha & a Gramma loreto trio 3 P. diacanthus. 2 C. starcki Current Tank Info: 200 gal 4 tank system (40x28x24 + 40B + 40B sump tank + 20g refugium) + 30x18x18 mixed reef + 20g East Pacific biotop + 20g FW +...

03/05/2017, 04:49 PM	#3
CoralsAddiction Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: L.A./Tahoe Posts: 6,003	Unless you have a big plan of becoming a viable commercial hatchery, which requires a lot of work, it's not worth it from the financial perspective. Coral farming is easier but also more competitive. That said, I've had better ROI from coral fragging than I would with clownfish breeding on a hobbyist level.

03/26/2017, 12:09 AM	#6
Mashaw Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 53	I have a mate that does breed, i would not say he has it down to an art, but he is not far off it, but yes he does make some good money, enough money to cover his cost for his breeding set up and his display and even enough money to put a little back in his pocket If you do it for the fun to start with and understand you wont make anything huge, i think you could very well come close to breaking even or atleast making afew dollars to help cover costs

04/09/2017, 04:28 PM	#8
Denbf58 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: selden N.Y. Posts: 885	you have to love doing it. a lot of work if you are successful you can recoup your investment if you have the outlet to sell them. will it cover your time doubtful. right know I have three tanks with about 40 juvenile the the kitchen thank god my wife puts up with me __________________ Life is good Current Tank Info: 75gal reef ready koralia 3, 30g sump, 4b 48" t5s lighting, 29g reef with breeding pair clowns 55g reef 55g freshwater