How tropical fish wholesalers are there in Aust

[likesfish]

Just a question which i wonder if any knows- How many tropical fish wholesalers are there in Aust? I can think of three- one new wholesaler is will be dealing soon in the northern end, one in Brissy and one in Melbourne. Any in Perth?, Sydney, Victoria?

[ndoboi]

Are you talking Importers? If so, there a few in Sydney.

[likesfish]

Well yes and no. Most of the big guys import and also have a hatchery system. I guess those who can afford the luxury of heating can run a hatchery, otherwise they would have to buy stuff in. As you can imagine, fish from places like Hong Kong, Singapore, Brazil have to undergo quarantine- and of course, fish have to be "treated" with special "medicines or combos of ..."  Just curious because you are certainly better off buying local bred stuff. Take for example, neon tetras. Fish imported are very cheap but loses can be high to the importer as well as purchaser. However, at 8-10 cents per unit why can't they afford the risk. Local bred stuff certainly gives you a longer life span and i believe the quality is there. Similarly, White clouds, and platties are better bought from locals due to there strength advantage. Also, German blue rams tend to be touchy especially asian imports- purely because of handling and time for release.
Bought six off a shop, all died in the space of 2 weeks. Bought again off a northern breeder, sweet as! My question is really out of interest because to find a fish wholesaler isn't easy especially if they will buy fish off you at a reasonable price. Thought somebody might be in the know?

[Alan Caboolture]

I personally know eleven importers/wholesalers, and I don't doubt that there could be more I have never heard of or met.

There are some that defiately will buy local bred fish at a reasonable price, and seems that their requirments outstrip the local supply.

Others want to screw breeders down to O/seas prices without having to pay freight, inspection and quarantine fees, and then want to trade deal at retail prices !!!!!!

Their loss, as I will not deal with that sort!!!

I have no problems selling any fish I breed, in numbers, at my price !!!!  Even to interstate dealers who pay freight..

Alan.

[likesfish]

Thanks Alan. It's good to know that the local guy gets a chance. Being able to get some pocket change to keep the hobby going is always a bonus. Perhaps the dream to be a major breeder and make fortunes is limited to a few but at least it's satisfying to sell a few to offset power, food ,time and effort. In turn, somebody can get some pleasure from ones' efforts.

[dammwoman]

I'll tell you now that all importers will buy local fish and the "new one" setting up in North Queensland will buy local and take into account the fact that the fish don't have to be freighted or held for quarintine and with changes to the laws local breeders are looking more and more attractive.
Yes ONE BIG importer is guilty of screwing every cent down too and they are loosing breeders left right and centre.  
BUT
A lot expect to be paid near a retail price and I'm afraid that isn't going to happen as the overheads in the Wholesale /Quarintine setup are huge...
$15,000 a year in excess water for ours to start with and its still onlya tiny setup at the moment.....and thats just the tip of it.
Another problem is people want to sell you 10 Bristlenose.
Thats 10 fish that have to be kept seperate due to the chance of disease ect.
We will buy local at a fair price and look after the people who look after us but have no time or need for the people who sell to the wholesalers and then sell privately for the same price.
If anyone has good fish in resonable numbers don't hesitate to contact either myself or Bob in Cairns. We are more than happy to buy good local fish and 'look after' the seller as long as some common sence is used.
Cheers Linda

[dammwoman]

Just a quick note in addition....
We have currently bought or imported just over 4000 fish in this the first week of ownership.
Total DOA...23....5 imported
                         18 local
Deaths since arrival ....0.

Things are going pretty darn good.
Linda

[ndoboi]

Pretty impressive figures!! So what are you currently stocking???

[dammwoman]

Discus & a Fair Range of Cichlids.... Some Basic Bread & Butter Stuff and building up a good range of more unusual Cichlids. (stuff I was surprised the other bigger Wholesalers havn't got).  List will get bigger as time on.
Currently have only 300 tanks, another 300 tanks are being made as we speak and Bob is building stands today actually. Eventually the shed should hold 1100 tanks but we also only have a 40 tank Q room at present. That also has to expanded but only time and money will get us there.
Bob is also managing it single handed ATO so has his hands full.

Next shipment will probably target catfish then get into more basic stuff for a couple a of shipments.
This is of course Wholesale so sales to general public are not allowed but will mean a different range of fish to what is currently being offered will start to show up in shops.
Being realistic though it will probably take 12 months to get the business as we want it and the staff that we want.
Cheers Linda

[syno1]

Hi Linda,
              Drop us a line with a list of whats available at the moment.
Also how are the giant asian upside down cats going.

                                 Regards Chris

                          sumaquarium@bigpond.com

[dammwoman]

Thanks Chris. I'll get Bob is send you the list.
He won't have Internet until one day this week. Some stuff up with Telstra and the transfer from Don over to us. Didn't have phone either for day and a half.
When he gets internet on will be on line himself but will have him mail you one.
Cheers Linda

[ndoboi]

Great news Linda. Lots of hard work ahead, but im sure it will all be worthwhile.

Will you have your list available to the public like Bayfish? Reason I ask is so we can get our LFS to get what we want off you.

Cheers
Steve

ps - No useful info came out of aquarium glaser  :(

[likesfish]

Thanks Linda, that was a very informative discussion, and more to the point, factual. Seems like with that attitude, things should go good for you guys. Again, good to see a positive response.

[dammwoman]

Thanks for encouragement.
At times we are both quite swamped presently but have made the comittment and just have to knuckle down and get it done.
In answer to ndoboi. eventually.
Havn't yet decided to upgrade the current Exotic Discus Site or arrange a new one which has everything else on it.
One things for sure One of us is going to have to take a computer course at TAFE or earn a bloody lot of money fast and pay someone to do the computer stuff for us.
I'm starting to feel very old!
Cheers Linda

[dammwoman]

Just a followup on the Exotic Discus Site.
It is currently being closed down to general public.
Anyone will be able to look into site but it is being changed to the same format as Bay Fish where prices are wholesale only and a password will be required to get prices.
Bob has meeting with the guy who operates site for us on Monday and these changes will be made immediately.
Also for any shops out there reading this the new price list for Exotic Discus has been revised with many Discus permanently reduced in price.

May at some stage change name or contain a link to other fish on offer.
Also from here on the fish pictured on site will be the actual fish photographed while in Quarantine not some pretty pic. taken from a book.
That way people are getting exactly what they think they're getting.
Obviously standard bread and butter fish won't be pictured only the more unusual stuff.
Cheers Linda