Pet Store advice from WetWebMedia.com
Hi, we do need some assistance. We own a pet store and have added marine fish to our pets. we can only find one hatchery and is limited on marine fish. can you help us? Kritter Korner Tracy city TN 931-592-3333 thank you sherry
<welcome to the salty side of the industry my friend! We can indeed help you. There really is so much to say and share here to help you succeed. You really need to meet us or someone like us <G> at a trade show or conference and sit down for a couple hours to get the crash course! The big national marine conference MACNA is being held reasonably near you next year (it travels the country) in Kentucky by the Louisville club (www.lmas.org). If you go to no other conference or show... this is not to be missed! We'll be there and are delighted to chat and help you for as long as you are willing to listen. The industry needs more good retailers of course :) In answer to your question... there are many good wholesalers out there, and even more bad or ignorant ones. Make your life simple and go to one of the best and oldest ones around: Quality Marine. You can follow this link for their contact information: http://www.qualitymarineusa.com/home.html
heehee... tell them Bob Fenner's crew recommended you and they might throw in a clownfish kewpie doll :) They really are good guys. I used them personally in my business for a about ten years, and they have been around for over 30 I believe. That sort of longevity speaks volumes. A trip to LA to see their facility is well worth it too! It will take your breath away. Best regards, Anthony Calfo>

Livestock wholesale sources
hello. The site TMC is "down" or not available for five days. I'm tying to access because I need to make an import of live rock and stock to my country Portugal. maybe you can give the email of TMC to send them the request and the information about their site...thanks and answer please
<Don't have their email, but there is a number posted on a review of their biz I penned here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/AqBizSubWebIndex/tmcpropc.htm
And do look through our livestock links: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marlinks.htm
and Livestocking Business FAQs files: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/AqBizSubWebIndex/bizlvstkfaqs.htm
and the linked files (in blue, above) for folks who can supply you.
Bob Fenner>

TMC in the UK
I'm Portuguese and I try to enter in tropic marine center and I don't have success. I have a company in Portugal that have to import marine live stock and I can't find a company in Europe that export live stock and rock to my country. Please help my find one. thanks answer 
<Mmm, their site seems to be "down" for now:
www.tmc-ltd.co.uk/aquariumproducts/ tropicmarintestkits.asp
Try back in a few hours, or tomorrow... or give them a call: Tel: +44 (0)1923 284151
Bob Fenner>

Wholesale suppliers
The Crew @ WWM,
I have been a long time fan of wetwebmedia. You guys have been doing a great job. I have been in the fish industry for 10 years now. I have an offer to take over a wholesale Business and I need some guidance on Livestock. I am residing in North California and has no clue on how or where to find a supplier to marine coral and fish. Please help me get on track and point me in the right directions.
                                      Thanks
                                      Lost in Cali
<You can imagine the mixed feelings... wanting to help you, and oppositely wanting to warn you of the difficulty of operating in the livestock part of our trade. If you don't know who or where to find the major suppliers... how do you think you can run this part of your business? There are a few guides to "Who's Who" in the trade (Pet Business Magazine just came out with their annual "buyer's guide" that lists many). Do you have time to come down to Los Angeles to meet these suppliers? If so, I'll introduce you. Bob Fenner>

Adding saltwater to inventory- retailer 6/4/03
I am helping a friend with her pet store and we would like to add saltwater fish to our selection.  I am having trouble finding a system to display them in,
<hmmm... the commercial ready-made systems are rather expensive to say the least, and many of them are not at all practical.>
I really do not want to build our own.  
<do consider... more economical and often more efficient. Visit local and regional competitors to see systems you find admirable>
I was thinking along the lines of a MARS system or the likes there of.  
<have had personal experience with these units... beyond aesthetics, they are poorly designed and constructed in my opinion. Undersized drains and returns (flow), poor ventilation below (trapping heat of chillers counterproductively... and worst of all... particle board components near water?!?>
We are looking for maybe a total of 250gals or so.  In our area there is very little offered to customers.  We do have a
Petco but their specialist is no longer with them and their tanks have already crashed. (I was the specialist)  I want to help my friend corner the market here.  
<we have a lot of good information in articles and FAQs on the pet fish biz here on our website:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/AqBizSubWebIndex/Biz%20Index/Biz%20index.htm >
Do you know of any good suppliers of livestock for a mom and pop store in eastern PA?  
<your best is to find a fish-picker/jobber in LA to hand-select from the best wholesalers there each week. Else, livestock quality will be random week to week... its the nature of the game with so many wild caught animals>
If you have any links that might be useful in obtaining what
we need I would appreciate it. Thank you, Caryn Heffner
<Quality Marine (http://www.qualitymarineusa.com/home.html) is one of my favorite wholesalers (have used them in several businesses for the last 15 years. Even then, however, I still use a picker to select for me... never take what the random worker will give to fill your order. I just chatted with a very intelligent and well-versed chap today that has an established business in LA for wholesaling/jobbing [we have mutual friends that also spoke very highly of them:
Erik & Dennis Reynolds at Aqua Marines Hermosa Beach, Ca 90254-0926
310-379-2581, 310-318-2202 (fax)
Consider contacting them and getting their information. They have a website too at www.am4fish.com
Best regards, Anthony>

List marine fish (Brazilian source)
<Thank you. Will post your name, address on our "Livestocking" part of our business subweb on WetWebMedia.com
Bob Fenner>
Iguaba ocean ornamental fishes exporter
Rua São Pedro # 37 ; CEP: 22254-032
São Pedro - Rio de Janeiro / BRASIL
TELEPHONE: + 55 (21) 2595-3223
FAX: + 55 (21) 2264-8222
E-MAIL: iguabaocean@vento.com.br

Bali transhipper in Chicago 5/03
I am trying to find a wholesaler who is in Chicago.  This wholesaler will allow you to transship from Bali or pick stuff out of their stock.
Another store is buying from them but they will not give me the name of the wholesaler.  Can you help.
Bryan
Blowfish Aquatics, Inc.
(317)714-1685
<Don't know either, but will post on our root web in hopes that someone does and will contact you. Bob Fenner>

DAVE PALMER
Hi Mr. Fenner,
I would like to touch base with Mr. Palmer regarding importing/transship T. clams & Prog. corals. I was reading the "FAQs about the Giant Clams Business" section; also I hear his name articles on the Internet. If you can help me with his contact info, I'll appreciate it.
<You can reach Dave through Pacific Aquafarms: pafarms@earthlink.com >
Thank you in advance.
Best Regards,
Ertan
<Welcome. Bob Fenner

Saltwater livestock importation
Hello, My name is Lee. I have a question about importing saltwater fish. You might not be able to help me but if you know someone who can please ask them to email me.   I am opening up a saltwater aquarium shop this summer and I was thinking about importing fish in the future. I already have my import license. I am going to buy wholesale for now and then later when I can expand I would like to import.
<Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/AqBizSubWebIndex/bizlvstkfaqs.htm
and the next Related FAQs file (linked, in blue, at top)>
I have thought about this and it is something I would like to do.  I was wondering if there was a place I could find how to acclimate imported fish once you receive them. I have heard they are hard to acclimate. But I really would like to try to import my own fish. If you could give me any help and advice I would appreciate it.
<Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/acclimat.htm>
I am a very determined person with plenty of help. I know I could do this but the people I have talked to are not very helpful. They just try to talk me out of it.
<Perhaps it is their assessment that this is not a good idea for you. Much to be learned, related here. I strongly encourage you to go work with someone for a while... see what is involved here...>
So I will buy from them instead. Would you please email me your help and advice. I am usually at work during your show. That is why I am emailing you.   Thank you for your help in advance. Lee
<Bob Fenner>

Marine Biz 7/9/03
Mr. Fenner,
<Anthony Calfo in his stead>
I write as I need some advise/assistance with marine aquaria livestock. I am (or at least consider myself) an experienced marine aquarist, and have been doing it as a hobby and operating a small high-end install/display business (peaceful, community reef tanks only), since about 1980, which I started in Vail, CO (keeping marine tanks at 8200', with 30% less O2 is an art in it self). I take great pride in my work and try to be as knowledgeable as possible.
<good to hear>
I do agree with the concept that we, as marine keepers have a duty to provide a high quality environment for our wards so they may live out their normal life spans.  
<or longer as is often the case in good hands>
My most outrageous story was when I was in one of our LFS a while back, there was a guy in there buying a Volitans Lion, a Picasso Trigger and a Snowflake Moray.  After he left, the guys at the store were laughing as he comes in every 3 months and buys the same 3 animals, and is trying to keep them in a 30 gallon tank!  That was the last time I set foot in there.
<indeed... the feet are the best way to vote disapproval as a consumer. Carry your dollars away>
I have learned, I read all I can get my hands on, and in the last decade have succeeded in not only keeping almost everything I set my hand to, but have done so well with some of my tanks that we have to regularly harvest corals (soft and hard), macro algae's, snails, etc., which we find new homes for, but I have a small problem I am unable to figure out. While I have no problem keeping some seastars (brittles and serpents), I have the black hand with Linckia and Fromia.  Every single one (about 5, I will not buy anymore unless I can figure out my problem) never makes it out of quarantine (everything gets quarantined for 4 weeks before it goes into any display).  They invariably develop "the rot", where they start to deteriorate a the tip of an arm and it progresses until the animal dies (and it drives me nuts to watch).  I have carefully selected the specimens to assure they appear healthy and do not have any visible damage or parasites.  Once it begins I have tried cutting off the arm well below the infected area to no avail.  
<the first problem is the source of most of these animals on import (poor handling/shipping that dooms many from the start). Too many folks are willing to try a cheap Philippine or Indo Blue Linckia rather than spend for better specimens shipped in larger bags (as from Hawaii). The price diff and survivability are much different. A case of getting what you pay for. The second problem is that very few aquarists really are prepared to care for these stars. They are very hungry deposit feeders that need mature aquaria (over 1 year old) at a rate of one star per 100 gallons or more! Indeed... nowhere near as hardy or forgiving as the Ophiuroid brittle stars>
Are there any decent texts that address disease in inverts?
<there is more address of invertebrate pathogens in the academic literature... do tap your local college library of sciences. Have you also seen our new book on Reef Invertebrates?:
https://secure.wetwebmedia.com/order_form.jsp
http://wetwebfotos.com/store/nma-ri.html>
Our tanks are kept at 78-80 degrees, sg 1.024, ph 8.3 (very stable) Ca425, Mag 1200, KH 12-14, Bor 2,  Str 12,  Na 10, (since I installed a plenum it went to 10 ppm and stays there even if I do not do water changes, which I normally do 20% on the display, 50% on quarantine filled from display, every 2 weeks), O2 5-6, Ammonia, nitrites, phosphates, silicates, copper all 0, I add iodide and iron supplements but never enough to get a reading with my test kits (Seachem), the quarantine tanks are filled from a very healthy and mature 400 gal display with a refugium, we use Hawaiian Marine salt, the water is RO/DI, they have lots of live rock and sand (except for the hospital tanks) with good copepod populations, protein skimmers,  UV sanitizers, excellent circulation, halide lighting, weekly supplements (both phytoplankton and amino acid/trace elements).  I have attached a photo of the display in my office (sorry for the poor quality, crappy camera).
The only other animals I have any trouble with are Catalaphyllia and Helio-Fungia, neither of which I seem to get along with,
<the common problem here is that they are never fed well enough in captivity. These are very hungry corals that get perhaps no more than 70% of their daily sustenance from the translocation of carbon from zooxanthellae. These corals need target fed organismally several times weekly with meaty fare>
but do very well with many other stony corals, both small and large polyp, including Plerogyra sinuosa and gorgonians, several of my anemones have divided and grown like mad (I have a Macrodactyla doreensis that has gone from about 4" across to more than a foot in under a year).
Any idea what I am doing wrong?  There is sufficient detritus for them to feed on
<detritus is not even an appetizer for these two groups... they need course zooplankton like Mysis shrimps. 3-5 times weekly IMO for most>
but I have yet to get one to last 4 weeks and absolutely do not
want to be responsible for the demise of anymore, but have a couple of customers who would really like one.
<Fungia is much hardier than Heliofungia... and beware that many elegants are now being collected in very deep water (purple tips) and will not tolerate bright light at first or at all (no MH)>
My second question is, is there a decent, reputable marine livestock wholesaler out there, who can and will deal with the animals by proper names, not common names, and actually ship healthy, quality animals, and what was ordered.  
<I like Quality Marine and Aquatic Marines (both LA)>
Preferably one who also handles captive raised animals.  I get tired of crappy shipments with high mortality rates (in one case 50%, in the box just 6 hours), frequently the wrong animals (even if I give them proper name and a photo reference, I just received 2 Zanclus cornutus that were shipped as Heniochus diphreutes ).  I do not do enough business to use a broker, most require orders in the thousands per week or month, I do one every couple of months, just to fill my customers orders (I do NOT operate a retail storefront, and do not want to!).
<you really need a jobber to hand pick from QT stock... well worth the money spend (lower mortalities and much better cherry picked animals. Do look at AM4fish.com and chat with Erik>
I await your reply.  You may call if that is more convenient for you or if you have any questions. Please feel free to forward this message if you feel it necessary. Most sincerely, Mark Simon
<best of luck, mate. Anthony>

Glad to meet him at "Aquarama Show 2003" in Singapore
Hello,  Bob & Anthony,
<Howdy>
Your webpage is wonderful and excellent information both for hobbyists as well as trade/business friends.   I have got to know you through Barry of ClamsDirect who also introduced us to Walt Smith & Sea Dwelling Creature & others.
<Oh, yes>
  But for past months have been very busy with my Marine Fish & Corals Business in Singapore.   We are an importer, exporter, wholesaler & retailer of marine fishes, invertebrates, soft & hard corals, live rocks & Tridacna clams (all with CITES Permits) from neighboring & Pacific Countries for only 2 years over.     Most of our Hard Corals (with CITES Permits) are from neighboring countries and Vanuatu.  So far we still have bring in shipment from Walt Smith as the market in Singapore is too small and that already there are about 3 local importers who brought in their orders from Walt Smith, it's like fighting for a small piece of cake.   In fact, Smith & his staff Devi had given us a call about 3 months back about placing an order with them and are considering so maybe in the next few months just to cater for our overseas customers.  Do you think if we will to place order with them,  you can assist us by giving  them a word of giving us 'rare or special'
species of the corals just like what Edwin brought in his shipment,   appreciate very much for your kind words.
<Do just mention this to Tim (McLeod) there (Fiji) re what you're looking for. I'll cc them here>
Glad to know you will be attend the "Aquarama Show" in Singapore on 10th October '03 and our great honour & pleasure to welcome you.
<Actually, we'll miss the show this year and be in the Marquesas instead>
  I think you might be very busy meeting trade friends & hobbyists from various countries as well as  Edwin (the new LFS)   &  Perry Chong.      We will be definitely there and of much pleasure if we can invite you & friends to our premise and seek your professionally advices on various subjects.      
<Sorry to miss you>
By the way,  will be glad to know Perry Chong as well,  appreciate if you could introduce us to him or maybe in fact we already know each other except does not get to know each other names.
<Yes. Will cc Perry here as well>
     And as for Edwin, we know each other for quite something since he was our walk-in customer 2 years back and he has just started his shop about 1 month ago and last week  come in a shipment from Walt Smith.
Could you kindly also advise us, what if we do not have a website for our company, is it possible to put an advertisement at  your webpage and how much is the charges,   sorry have not really go through the pages at related webpages as recently extremely too busy.
<Will cc Mike Kaechele who handles the bulk of our "ad sales">
Meanwhile, we look forward to your favourable reply of visiting our premises and your great advices, suggestions & comments, please let us know your decisions so that we will arrange a few vehicles for the  pick up.     Appreciate if you could kindly pass around or introducing our company to your trade friends and hope you can cast your net further with more recommendation of exporters & importers to us.
<Will post your message, BUT do consider making/having a "good" website describing your business (and images!) so others can find you>
Hereby attached our introduction letter of our company & name card for your kind reference and comments.
Sorry for not able to write good sentences and express yourselves.
Thank You  & Best Regards
Steve Benjamin Chong ---- HP 065 - 98178144
New Trio Fisheries
<Be seeing you, Bob Fenner>

Artificial corals & fish
Guys,
I am looking for leads to some ethical importers of marine fish for a friend. Fe Baskin is the widow of Dave Baskin who was the creator of the ASI ReeForms corals ten years ago. They had set up a collection station in the Philippines and were just starting to ship fish and inverts when he died of stomach cancer early this year. Her family operation is currently shipping limited numbers to Holland but would like to start exporting to the USA. Originally they were collecting for custom exhibits. Of course it is all net collected and they are working with Ferdinand Cruz who has been working with the net collection training and has spoken at Marine Ornamentals on the Philippine situation. Her description of their operation is below. Any help would be appreciated.
Regards,
Tom
<Tom I will circulate amongst friends, associates in the trade I consider of excellent practices in hopes they can/will contact you. Bob Fenner>
From: Fe Baskin
Hi! Tom,
Thanks for the reply I was so upset and busy it takes me few days to recover. Any way we are using MAC guideline even if its ridiculous How can you ever trace a single damsel fish? But I have no choice so I will work with them its all lip service anyway. More of WWF propaganda.
Our weekly output will be 40-50 boxes a week but We will have stock in the field instead for the next shipment. I am shipping to Holland . Our client provide list of fish beforehand so we give the list to our collectors and we don't end up collecting fish that are not needed. That's the advantage of the field operation its a pain in the neck because we end up taking care of the fisherman but the control that you can get is worth it. We will have the stock of fish ready for shipment but the same amount will be in the cages ready to be shipped when we give them the signal. Also the Island where we operate we can collect all year round and the variety is there. No fancy blue face (seldom seen and fisherman usually said they are big). The supply will come all over the Island but mainly in Mindoro Island where our operation will be located. So much invertebrates are available if there is a demand the buyer can tell me. Our buyer in Holland he is a nice guy like you! Have technology in the shipping and he come to the Philippines every 3 months he adopted a 28 year old Filipina.
Paperwork are being process I will name the company DNB AQUATICS . What do you think? Our supervised collecting station in Mindoro Island we have cages in the ocean .Fish are not feed in the cages they stay there 3-5 days depending on the size. Another few days in the facility before shipping, we use individual small container per fish to avoid fin damage. Ferdinand will supply from Palawan, Bicol and Bolinao . We shipped fish in bags from the field less stress to the fish. We had a lot of hands on experience because we did it ourselves so many times. In the packing for shipment I got the best but they are part time in the beginning so I don't have a lot of overhead.
I really appreciate your help I know you are busy . Thank you and regard to Terri , Lisa (hug her for me she is special) and kisses to the new born I can't wait to meet them. Bye! for now and Take care

Import of Ornamental fish
Dear Bob,  
It was great joy reading yr forum and I realized that I need to write to you regarding about importing of ornamental fishes.  I hope that with your contacts in this industry, you can help me with the following;
I need contacts for reliable exporters from Hawaii and brazil, also any exporters that export corals with cites to Singapore? I tried to contact Wayne Ocean World from Hawaii recently but to no avail. There phone no and fax seems to be terminated and there was no reply from the email.  Hope you could help me out on this one. With appreciation, Yeow.
<Might I ask a bit about your business? Are you a retailer? A jobber of sorts, or a wholesale distributor of marine livestock? About how much volume do you do, enough to warrant an LD3? Can/do you co-opt shipments with anyone in Sing currently? Bob Fenner who will be there on Tuesday>

Imports
Hi Guys.
<Hello Steve>
Love reading your site and following the links....wish we had something here in the UK like WWM.
<Start one>
Anyhow, I am involved with a company called Acropora House with a specialization in SPS corals, Live Rock and of course marine fishes.
<I see>
We are looking to expand our supply base to bring in direct imports from Hawaii, Marshall Islands and Fiji/Bali.
<Okay>
We are looking to buy 1500kg - 3000Kg + of Live Rock per time and bring in SPS corals and fish as well. I have been speaking with Waterlife Fiji (do you know of them) but was kinda hoping you might have a contact in Hawaii , Marshall Islands or someone else out Fiji/Bali way who you might recommend. I have tried to get hold of Walt Smith Inc. via email but no reply to date. If not do you know of a European transhipper that might wanna get involved. We are looking for quality livestock products.....not just the cheapest.
Hope you can be of assistance.
<Do you belong to the OFI? You might use their member list, resources to contact folks who could help you. I have Bcc'ed several friends, associates in the trade, including Walt Smith. I am hoping that some will follow-up here and contact you. Bob Fenner>
Regards and Best Wishes
Steve Tope

Re: Imports
Hi Bob
<Steve>
Many thanks for your reply. We have a couple of sites here for Marine Enthusiasts but none so quite as in depth as WWM. I hope on our new website that we will have a few links.......can we post yours up as one ??
<Absolutely>
OFI..........no we are not members/ don't belong. We are a newish company. I will try and find a link and go about researching.
<Take a look at/through their site: http://www.ornamental-fish-int.org/ especially the Member's Directory by country>
Thanks for Bcc'ing people you know. If any should get in contact, I will let you know and pass on our thanks. We struggle here in the UK as we are not mainland Europe or the States so kinda get overlooked by a lot of people even though the marine industry is big business.
<Not for long>
Thanks for your help
<Glad to be of assistance. Bob Fenner>
Steve Tope

All Seas (LA)
Dear Bob,
Do you have ALL SEA MARINE contact number or email address? I just can't find them on net.
<They have no net address or email contact. Their number in Torrance (California) is 310-532-7769, fax 324-5501. Ask for Ted or Edwin Chua. Bob Fenner>
Thank you.
Cheers,
Charles

Looking for industry contacts, specifically Dave Palmer
Hello Dr Fenner,
<Just Bob please, I have no doctorate degree or pretense to that title>
this is Almarzouqi who talked to you in the phone a month ago and I'm the founder of NCPARS.COM (north central pa aquarium reef society) I was searching the net for contact information about transship companies and was looking for any contacts from Jakarta, Solomon island, Hawaii, marshal island and came across article and replies that you have to other people. I would like to know if you know anybody or have any contact that will be interested to ship corals and fish to east coast once a week or once every two week in a big quantity?
<Yes, a few. I will BCC them here in hopes they will contact you>
I have came across Dave Palmer's name and could not find any contact info and he is the one who gets Solomon island.
<Now in Los Angeles. You may call him at 310-406-1235>
  Any info you will give me will be appreciated and will help me a lot with my project that hope will be one of the big projects in east coast. I will be traveling to Middle east, Asia soon to get some work from there and I'm also working with Oman and the UAE to set a station there.  I did not want to call you pass 9 pm eastern time as I did not know what time is your bed time and hope to hear from you soon.
Thanks ahead
Almarzouqi
<Be chatting, Bob Fenner>

Hey Dr. Fenner,
This is Dr. Smith here. You have given this guy my home number. Dave's business number for PAF is 310 215 3474.
Yikes!
Cheers,
Walt
<Yowzah! Thanks. Will amend my ways and this number. Bob>

Livestock Contacts Intl.
Dear Bob,
good to hear from you. I found Dave Palmer a week ago and got 10 boxes of corals and fish from him to start on Saturday. I will appreciate if you can help me find some contacts with Bali, Jakarta, Kupang, Vietnam and other areas.  I know that you have good contacts and Dave was very nice and so his helper Sylvia. Thanks ahead..
Yours Almarzouqi
<I will send out your request to others in the industry here as I usually do, that is Bcc'ed so that they can volunteer individually if interested. Bob Fenner>

Re: starting up a store
<<Cheers, Matthew... Anthony Calfo below you in Pennsylvania following up with Bob's cc here>>
>  Also, we are located in Connecticut, and over the years I have become very friendly with some local shops, but still am not totally certain as to what method I want to go about stocking my tanks.  My concern is that I want to stock the tanks by reducing the stress on the fish as much as possible.  By any chance, would you know of any good local fisheries or markets in the Connecticut area that are easily accessible to a starting business?
> <Unfortunately no. But will ask Anthony here if he is familiar with any, and will post on WWM in the hope someone will respond>
<<several points to make here... briefly regarding your intent to reduce stress of initial stocking of tanks, do be sure to use a generous amount of cured live rock for invertebrate tagged marine systems...
and for fish only marine and freshwater filters, perhaps consider "supercharging" them in advance with Ammonium Chloride. Its inexpensive and easy to do...
easy to manipulate too - it will let you start a seeded biological filter and race it up to a strong colony just prior to stocking with fishes. I recall seeing Moe describe it in his classic Marine Aquarium References... and am sure recipes exist for it on the Net. It really is as simple as it (might) sound:
feeding a bunch of ammonia to a filter prior to putting it online for a fish load.
As to the regional suppliers... you have some challenges here. If you don't have direct flights (and I suspect not) to your nearest airport from Los Angeles, then you will be at least slightly compromised as to the quality and availability of livestock you can get. I would strongly suggest you get a jobber (fish picker) here to select your orders on site in LA from the best available stock. The other challenge is that there are no significant
distributors of wholesale marines in our region until you get down to New York and New Jersey. And frankly, they are not that good IMO. You would be better served by getting product first hand from the primary port of entry for most US marine tropicals: Los Angeles. With that said, you might also look into a Chicago supplier (there are several... like A-Pet) if you can get better flights to CT than from LA.
And has Bob has suggested... please start shopping the trade shows to get your feet wet and to network. We have the HH Backer Shows in Atlantic City and Chicago twice yearly. Also subscribe to a trade magazine like Pet Business or Pet Age to begin or finish your business plan. And last of all... be sure to write that business plan! Your chance at success will be greatly improved. Make your life easy and purchase some software like Business Plan Pro to do this. Some local business schools also often offer free counsel to local small business for start-up (classes and consultations... help writing biz plans, etc).
Best of luck, Anthony>
<Thank you Antoine. Bob>

Your opinion (re a giant dream of collecting, processing, etailing rare angelfishes)
Mr. Fenner,
I plan on opening a internet based marine fish store which specializes in only the rarest and hardest to come by marine angelfish, and I would like your assistance in a few areas.
<Not easy to do this business... hope to help you work in the industry first... Have you read over the "Business Index" part of our website: www.WetWebMedia.com? I suggest you look over "The Marine Center" site... link on WWM... as they do the sort of enterprise very well already...>
My first question is what are the rarest and hardest to come by angelfish!? 
<Look over the survey pieces on Pomacanthids on the WWM site... and the reference works listed on the Bibliography/Further Reading areas on each article... get and read these over...>
I've already decided to get clarion's, clipperton's, Conspicuous, scribbled, the masked angelfish, West African, the resplendent, the golden pygmy, the red sea angel, Armitage angel, and the Nahacky. I plan to catch most of these myself to ensure the quality and care taken to capture these beauty's.
<Wowzah! Lofty goals indeed! Have collected about half of these myself... not easy to get to the areas of most... no realistic way to make "collecting and re-selling" them an economic enterprise... Perhaps your efforts would best be directed into investigating captive breeding?>
and when I finally have them in the store they will be quarantined for at least 3 weeks before I sell them and of coarse ill make sure that they eat and are taken care of. And then my second question is what numbers should I maintain of these fish to appease the collectors?
<They will tell you in time, turn... just a few initially.>
I know that these fish aren't offered in the industry often, so I want to know what type of demand to expect. thank you for any help you offer and it will be greatly appreciated. thank you once again.
Michael Camacho
<Much more for us to discuss... very enjoyably... do you do much dive travel currently? You are welcome to join us on our regular outings. Very often go to, dive with such collectors around the world. Bob Fenner>

Biz advice...
My Boss wanted me to ask if you or anyone in you direct area knows anything about marine wholesalers? I am helping him set up his tank but I have no idea about wholesalers. I have been a civilian up till now and he is just starting marine. Looking for Best quality, service, selection and price. the only one I new of was Quality Marine. Thanks for your help aquarium gods :-) John Moyer
<Quality Marine has had one of the best reputations for many years. I like them very much myself. I will say though, that if you do not live close enough to LA to cherry pick for yourself... it is pot luck with most shippers. They are all dealing with wild harvested product weekly  that is turned over very quickly and is at the mercy of the airlines and the elements. I strongly recommend to all remote retailers that you find a jobber to pick your fish for you from among the various wholesalers (a paid cherry picker). I discuss the merits of the procedure and the nature of the entire shipping/receiving livestock process in my Book of Coral Propagation if you are interested in the nuances here. Else, more information on jobbers, wholesalers, and other industry personnel can be found by joining any of the professional organizations or industry pubs like Pet Supplies Marketing or Pet Age. PIJAC is also a great place for industry information. Do research them on the Web. Best regards, Anthony Calfo>

Starting a Salt Water business...
Bob,
<Anthony Calfo in your service while Bob travels to Australia to show the Aussies how beer drinking is really done!>
Hello again. I have decided to start my own business. 
<welcome to the industry my friend. I wish you the best of luck and the strong admonition to form and revise your business plan often (don't become a statistic!)>
As you can tell from the e-mail, I have decided to call it BroadWave Reef & Fish. I am focusing on salt water fish and corals. We will also be diversified into tank maintenance and set-up/design. We will be on the web soon.
My concern is whom do you recommend, vendor name, to get my livestock and coral from? I have looked through FAMA as well as searched the internet. There are a lot of people who will supply wholesale, but since I am new to this, I am not sure who has quality livestock and corals and who doesn't?
<Really... when you don't live near LA to cherry pick, sight unseen from anybody is as good or as bad as another. I STRONGLY advise that you pay for the service of a good jobber (AKA fish picker) to be your eyes and ears in LA. They will hand-select your order for a nominal hourly fee. Even $50/hr for two hours to pick a $2000 dollar order is money well spent compared to your alternative of having someone making minimum wage selecting it. As far as who to pick... a tough call...many good, more bad ones. Overall it is hard to go wrong with Quality Marine is they will take you as a customer (especially if you use a fish picker). But don't limit yourself. Let your jobber advise you on trends among the importers. To find all of these industry professionals, subscribe to Pet Supplies Marketing and/or Pet Age magazines. They are industry trade journals with indexes to industry wholesalers, manufacturers, importers, jobbers, etc. Make contacts and browse their catalogs to see what interests you and again, let you jobber help with the decision>
I am also considering becoming a Red Sea "expert" retailer since I am in Boston and shipping should be more cost effective. Whom in the Red Sea do you know that I can start building a relationship with getting livestock from?
<None can be said to be unconditionally exceptional. You have to browse your options from among the importers listed to see who can serve you best (beyond price, connections from their stations to your airport, freight restrictions, policy restrictions, etc>
Thanks for your help as always!!!
<best of luck... the industry can always use another ethical vendor <wink> Anthony>

Fish Wholesalers
Hello,
I am a new (7 months) pet store owner and was wondering if you would recommend any fish wholesalers for the following:
Freshwater Fish - I currently order from local suppliers (oversea imports) who generally supply decent stock but have limited selection. I tried Ekkwill several times but always suffered very high losses due to apparent bacterial infections that did not respond to any treatment, so I am a bit gun shy of Florida farm fish as others in the trade have told me they have had similar experiences. I am looking primarily for community and south American cichlids/catfish as I am very happy with our African cichlid suppliers (Old World and Exotic Tropicals (local)).
<Am surprised at your experiences with Ekkwill... we should talk over your acclimation procedures. Have you read those posted on WWM? Here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/acclimat.htm>
Saltwater Fish - I currently order exclusively from Quality Marine and have been extremely happy with the quality of their stock but was wondering if their are other suppliers you would recommend.
<Sea Dwelling Creatures is a nice alternative to QM: salesmanager@seadwelling.com, Maybe All Seas if you know what to pick/choose from them.>
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Richard
<Need to know a bit more about you, your business. Where are you located? What size (volume, turn) is your store? Do you have a specialty, like live plants, reef... that you do or would like to emphasize. Please do read through the Business Index of WetWebMedia.com for others input that is archived. Bob Fenner>

Introduction (Freshwater, Marine Livestock from Brazil)
Date: Mon, 1 Jul 2002 18:52:58 -0300
<Thanks for this. Will post on our sites for your exposure. Bob Fenner, WetWebMedia.com>
DISCUS AMAZONAS RIVER- PIRANHAS
SPECIAL PRICE, DIRECT FROM RIVER TO YOU
UNBELIEVABLE PRICE BRAZILIAN FISHES
MARINE ATLANTIC
FRESH WATER AMAZON RIVER DISCUS GREEN - FOUR COLORS
RED-Piranhas
SPOT BLUE ETC
IGUABA OCEAN
RUA SÃO PEDRO 4O
, IGUABA -RIO DE JANEIRO
BRASIL
FAX-55 21 22648222
EMAIL: iguabaocean@yahoo.com.br
iguabaoc@vento.com.br , BRASIL MARINE FISH-promocion
salminus maxillosus
SEAHORSES YELLOW; BLACK, RED
PROMOCION
-POMACANTHUS PARU French angel LARGE -30CM ETC dear sirs we are a company established in Rio de Janeiro (BRASIL ) since1993,
we are specialized in marine and freshwater fishes > can dispatch to around the world with good freight rate and good connections to make shipment arrival on able time fresh water : Potamotrygon leopoldi, potamotrygon motoro, arapaima gigas, salminus maxillosus, wild discus( Amazon region), plecosL-46 + L-25+ L14+L-15 +L17
saltwater fishes : queen angel ( show size around 30cm), French angel show Cuban hog , gray angel, red sea horse, yellow sea horse, flame back angel ,(better price from brazil), royal Gramma (better price from brazil), Spanish hog, golden ell and much more we are waiting for your