breeding to sell

ali000 · Apr 16, 2008

Hi just thinking way ahead of myself as I've only just got my first axie

but do any of you breed for selling onto shops etc? is it profitable (don't mean to sound cold hearted and money orientated

) and do you need to be a registered breeder, if so how do you register?

the main reason I ask is that we have 2 very large fish tanks and have had many fry in the past, and even caercillian worms, but we have struggled to sell them to shops.... they always say that they only buy from breeders but will gladly 'take' them off our hands if we so wish..... yeah right!!!!

anyone else had any experience of this?

thanks
Alison

Kaysie · Apr 16, 2008

Basically, no, it's not profitable. It's a total money-sink. Start-up involves starting cultures of food in order to feed the larvae. Then you have to have the space to maintain the larvae, the food, the parents, and keep that all climate-controlled (from heat in the summer). Then you have the time-consuming task of feeding the larvae religiously, and cleaning up after them. Then, if you're lucky to raise the larvae to sellable size, you have to find someone to take them. Then, rarely do they want to pay your price (look on the for-sale section and see how many free axolotls there are), so you end up holding out for a higher price (and feeding them all the while), or selling them for cheaper and not recouping your costs.

ali000 · Apr 16, 2008

Thanks
all the time and effort I see as fun, but I wouldn't want to be stuck with 40+ axies

so like fish, the shops make an absolute killing without any effort

Kaysie · Apr 16, 2008

Haha! That's for sure. I sold my axolotls for $5 to the local shop, and they sold them for $20. But I'm just glad to see them go to a reputable place.

ali000 · Apr 16, 2008

I suppose the main thing is they go to somewhere good. I can't understand breeders that then sell to places that keep them in appaling conditions. if they are not doing it for money and obviously not for love then why bother

philbaker76 · Apr 20, 2008

I raised loads last year - (raised for fun), if you are going to raise to sell; do it now-ish - so you have pleanty of natuarl food (from ponds etc in summer). ...so if you don't raise too many, you might make a little money by saving on the feeding.

When they're old enough try and sell them yourself via free ads and maybe a few to local Aquatic shops (rather than pet shops), they have a much better grasp on water quality etc.

But, as Kaysie said - there isn't much money in it - I've broke even, maybe I'll make about £50.00 if I'm lucky. ...not good "business" for about 6 months work

...it's a hobby for me - and I've got a good outlet for them; if I do get too many.

...it is great fun raising them Alison!

benw · Apr 20, 2008

i totally agree that its not profitable, i bred loads a few years back and it took ages to move them on, but from a hobby side of it you cant beat raising your own young, and looking at a nice adult axy, or whatever, and thinking - yeah i raised that!!

ali000 · Apr 20, 2008

I'm really interested/excited in breeding them, I have 1 axie but have just been given a new 4ft tank from freecycle, so want to get him/her a mate (once I know what sex it is) trouble is I have to justify myself to hubby

, it's not so much that I want to make a profit, more that I don't want to be left with loads that I can't look after

we had a bad experience when our sailfins bred (hubbys a fish enthusiast) and we couldn't even give them away

benw · Apr 20, 2008

Dont be put off by breeding axyies, but be prepared for the potentially large amount of live food the youngsters eat, of course you can expect to lose a fair number but be realistic about how many you eant to untimately end up with, source potential outlets to move on the younsters.

Have fun doing it, and remember advice is always available on here!!

Ben

crested crazy · Apr 20, 2008

See I can never find axies for sale..And my family owns a pet shop
and are trying to find axies for sale...So where do you go to find them? lol

Kudos · Apr 21, 2008

Breeding axolotls is very non-profitable...... and finding them homes is the hard part.... I still have about 13 looking for homes..... Their food is so expensive and they are constantly wanting it XD

philbaker76 · Apr 21, 2008

Definitely have ago at raising some Alison. I wouldn't try and raise too many to start with - raising a few is much easier and a lot more fun.

Rather than waiting for your two to become adults, have a look on the for sale, trade and give away section of the forum - get a bit of spawn in. In-fact, I'll send you some if/when mine spawn (they haven't spawn'd yet this year!).

ali000 · Apr 21, 2008

Thanks for all the encouragement

and thanks for the offer Phil, I'll hold you to that (obviously I'll pay etc) I think what I'll try is get some eggs (as you have suggested) and see how well I cope rearing them before I commit to another adult axie and have to end up separating them because they are at it like rabbits:grin:

I still want to get Askey a friend but perhaps I'll wait and maybe get one the same sex!!!!

Thanks again, this site is fab and so helpful

philbaker76 · Apr 21, 2008

Yeah, still get another Axolotl - in a 4ft tank, you could have a few. I'd still go for a breeding pair maybe a mixture of colours, so you don't know what colour spawn you're going to get each time

PM me, so you're in my inbox - and I'll let you know when my lot spawn!

Kaysie · Apr 21, 2008

They're definitely fun to raise. Cute little guys too. Just raising hundreds is a poor idea.

Good luck!

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