Funding the hobby through breeding

[onyx9]

I'm totally captivated by those stunning peacock cichlids, but wow, they come with a hefty price tag. I've got a 75g tank just waiting to be filled, and my dream is to have a dozen or so beautiful, big African cichlids swimming around in it. So, I'm throwing this out there and hoping for some honest feedback - is this idea completely crazy or not? I was thinking of starting with a small breeding group, maybe 1.5" peacock ob or fluxeon blood/firtideflow, and growing them out in the 75g. Once they breed, I'd grow the young ones out a bit, then sell all but my favorite male. If the young adults can't coexist with the fry, I'd sell them off as soon as they produce, and keep one of the babies for myself. I'm guessing this plan might not be the most realistic, but I figured I'd ask - how do you all manage to afford stocking these tanks?

[kingrise]

You guys think I'm crazy with my plan, huh. I know it sounds far-fetched, but I'm really drawn to those peacock cichlids and I want a tank full of them. Starting with a breeding group of little ones, like peacock ob or fluxeon blood/firtideflow, and growing them out in my 75g seems like a good idea to me. I'd breed them, sell most of the young adults, and keep my favorite male. Maybe I'd even keep one of the babies from the next generation. I know it's a lot of work, but I'm willing to put in the effort if it means having a tank full of beautiful cichlids. I'm just not sure how you all afford to stock your tanks with these gorgeous fish.

[oldraider]

I recall a similar experience with African Cichlids years ago. My daughter brought home 8 rescues which I placed in my 55-gallon tank. The cichlids' aggressive nature soon forced me to remove the other fish. To create a suitable environment, I added fry grass and numerous decorations, including plastic plants. Over time, the tank became overrun with young cichlids, prompting me to give many away and eventually strip the tank down, removing the fry grass and decorations. I ended up giving over 30 to a local fish store, with at least 50 young adults in total. Although the store only offered me fish food in return, I'm optimistic that you might fare better, especially with online marketplaces like eBay now available.

[onyx9]

Glad to hear they didn't wreak havoc on your tank. That's definitely a plus.

[kingrise]

I'm totally captivated by those stunning peacock cichlids, but wow, they come with a hefty price tag. I've got a 75g tank just waiting to be filled, and my dream is to have a dozen or so beautiful, big African cichlids swimming around in it. So, I'm throwing this out there and hoping for some honest feedback - is this idea completely crazy or not? I was thinking of starting with a small breeding group, maybe 1.5" peacock ob or fluxeon blood/firtideflow, and growing them out in the 75g. Once they breed, I'd grow the young ones out a bit, then sell all but my favorite male. If the young adults can't coexist with the fry, I'd sell them off as soon as they produce, and keep one of the babies for myself. I'm guessing this plan might not be the most realistic, but I figured I'd ask - how do you all manage to afford stocking these tanks?

I think it's a good idea to line up a buyer before you start breeding, you know, just to be on the safe side. Having someone interested beforehand can really help, and it's always a good idea to do your research before getting into breeding - especially with animals that can be as challenging as cichlids.

[onyx9]

Definitely on board with the research, I'm just throwing ideas around at this point. Late August is the earliest this could even be a possibility, so I've got some time to weigh my options and look into everything.

[finnix]

I'd advise against chasing the dream of making bank off breeding fish. It's just not right, unless you're a genuine, experienced breeder who knows what they're doing.

[onyx9]

Finnix, I appreciate your honesty, I really do respect that viewpoint.

[belleora]

I came across Cory's Aquarium Co-op playlist, and he has a really insightful video on hobbyists breeding fish for profit. Apparently, he's got one of the most successful fish stores in the US, so I figured he'd know a thing or two about it. I haven't watched the whole series since I'm not planning to breed for profit, but the video I did watch went over the pros and cons really well. He also shared some great tips on how to manage it successfully. One thing he mentioned that really stood out to me is that breeding isn't going to completely cover your hobby costs - it comes with its own set of expenses, after all. However, it can help offset some of those costs. I think it's worth considering, especially since many people already propagate plants or fish on the side.

[oldraider]

I've always loved having fry in my tanks - there's something special about watching them grow. In the past, I've had issues with overpopulation, especially with cichlids, black mollies, guppies, and red-eyed tetras - it was like they just kept coming. Nowadays, I've got fancy guppy fry and platy fry, and I'm hoping to add some ember fry to the mix soon. I've never really thought about breeding for profit, I just enjoy the process and the joy of raising them. Of course, it can get out of hand quickly, and before you know it, you've got a tank full of fish - it's a delicate balance, but one I'm happy to maintain.