Tropical fish Importer, Exporter, and Breeder specializing in Central & South American cichlids, as well as Characins, catfish, pleco, and other rare or unusual species from around the world.
Do you accept ‘donation’ or ‘trade-ins’ or 'buy' fish from hobbyists?
I am always looking for local or domestically raised livestock. Whenever I do not have to source from out of the country I try to do so.
‘Donation’ fish are almost always accepted provided the fish are not sick or permanently injured and are resalable. I understand in many cases a client may no longer be able to care for a given species and may not have many options to move the fish along. Since I have a broad and global client base it is often very easy for me to find the donated fish a new home.
‘Trade-in’ fish are also almost always accepted provided the fish are not sick or permanently injured and are resalable. Please understand that on trade-in fish you will not receive retail value or credit equal of that to what you originally paid for the specific fish. Keep in mind that the traded in fish are going to be sold. I will not be keeping them to be pets. Therefore, the trade-in deal needs to be worth the trade so they can be sold reasonably, and that the species being traded in for will not be a loss on my end as this is a business that needs to operate. I must physically see any potential trade-in fish for health and identification prior to any trade being made.
‘Buying’ fish from hobbyist is also something I do try to accommodate. Again, whenever I can source livestock domestically, I certainly try to do so. Keep in mind that I already have access to obtain most species at wholesale price so retail prices will not ever be paid out. Example: If you are selling a species locally for $30 ea. then I will likely be reselling for same market price. My offer for them will be significantly less but, remember I am likely purchasing in a large bulk quantity often freeing up your valuable tank space. If they need to be shipped to me the price of the shipping is factored into the final price I will be willing to pay for the livestock as that of course needs to be added to the ‘landed’ price of each fish as also does the costs of prophylactically medicating the new arrivals before they can be listed for sale. Any fish being bought from a private, domestic breeder is going to be resold here. Any reasonable offer will be considered but please know that not all offers work out. My sole purpose for buying any livestock being offered is to resell at a profit. On species I already have direct access to I likely will not offer any form of payout for them. I must physically see any potential purchased fish for health and identification prior to any sale being made.
Any fish being offered to me and is claimed to be Wild caught(WC/F0), F1 or F2 must have a confirmable origin. These fish are of course more valuable, but the provenance must be able to be confirmed or else they are only worth the value of long term captive raised or farm bred stock of unknown provenance and will be marketed for resale as such. I only trust 1 or 2 other vendors as providing stock from known provenance and if not proved to be from one of those vendors (via receipt or email communications) they will be considered long term captive raised or farm bred stock of unknown provenance of lesser value.
In any case listed above I always try to be reasonable for both parties involved. In the end, anything that comes into my facility needs to be sellable at a profit.
If you feel you have something I may be interested in please do not hesitate to reach out.