According to recent statistics, a survey conducted by the Thailand Pet Products Association (TPPA) found that 11.5 million households had Thailand betta fish.
And, the study also revealed that $19.2 billion was spent on live animals and related products. So, with this in mind, you may wonder if selling betta fish could be a way to turn your hobby into a profitable business.
The rise and rise of the internet has seen a huge increase in the online sale of fish. This is a market you can tap into, especially if you keep your transactions local.
Online sales eliminate the middleman. You can sell your Thailand betta fish at the current market value, and any profit you make goes straight into your pocket.
Before betta fish for sale online, you need to know where and how to sell your fish online. So, buyers can easily buy betta fish online.
How to sell betta fish online?
Here are steps and tips on how to sell betta fish online effectively.
1. Get to Know the Betta Fish Market
Before diving into selling betta fish online, it is important to familiarize yourself with the different types of betta such as the wild tail, crown tail, and half-moon. Each species has unique feather shapes and colors. Understanding which types are most sought after and which are considered rare can help you meet the preferences of your potential customers.
2. Find Quality Betta Fish
For vibrant, healthy Betta, source your fish from trusted breeders or consider breeding them yourself. Your betta’s health and appearance are key to your success. Not only do healthy fish look more appealing, they also ship better, which is important for online businesses.
3. Launch Your Online Store
Decide on the best platform to sell beta online. You can choose popular pet-selling sites, or mainstream e-commerce platforms like eBay or Etsy, or you can even set up your website. Make sure your online store is easy to use and visually appealing. Include clear, high-quality photos of the fish, a detailed description of their health, age, and breed, plus some tips on how to properly care for them.
4. Build Trust with Your Customers
Trust is very important when you are selling live animals online. Improve your reputation by including testimonials from happy customers, sharing detailed information about your business, and being open about your practices. Offering educational content about Beta Care can also position you as a knowledgeable and caring seller.
5. Stay on the Right Side of the Law
Make sure you understand and comply with local and international regulations regarding the sale and delivery of live animals. Obtain any necessary permits and ensure that your business practices are completely legal to avoid any disruptions.
6. Carefully Package and Ship Your Bettas
Shipping live fish demands extra care to ensure they remain healthy and stress-free. Use insulated packing and make sure there is an ample supply of water and air. Mark the package as containing live animals and include handling instructions for the courier. Providing a safe arrival guarantee can also boost your customers’ confidence.
7. Get the Word Out
Take advantage of social media, forums, and online communities of aquarium enthusiasts to promote your betta. Engage in conversation, offer advice, and post photos of your beautiful fish. Using search engine optimization (SEO) strategies on your website can also help potential customers discover your business.
8. Deliver Outstanding Customer Service
Be prompt in responding to customer inquiries, advise on beta care, and resolve any issues promptly and professionally. Satisfied customers are more inclined to revisit and refer your store to friends.
9. Keep Improving
Stay abreast of the latest market trends, customer preferences, and developments in aquatic pet care and transportation. Use customer feedback to continually improve and enhance your business practices.
Guidelines to Selling
Buyers want to know that their hard-earned money is being spent on healthy fish that will arrive in good condition. Also, most beta enthusiasts want to know where their prize pet came from genetically.
In your website and Facebook marketing copy, make sure you emphasize that the fish you sell are homebred, and include lots of photos of your breeding setup. Emphasize the efforts you make to breed healthy fish that are kept in pristine conditions.
Blog posts and informative articles on all things beta are a great way to give your small-scale breeding operation a voice of authority. This translates into consumer confidence, which in turn translates into sales.
Importantly, you should include a family tree and genetic information about each fish you are selling. Buyers like to have this information, in part for the sake of owning a thoroughbred specimen but also for their homebred breeding aspirations.
How to Safely Package Your Betta Fish for Shipping
Use special, leak-proof fish transport bags that are large enough for betta.
Fill the bag about 1/3 full with water for small betta, or ½ full for fish 2.5 inches long.
Do not feed the fish one to three days before shipping. This gives the waste time to pass through the fish before being put into the bag so that the water stays clear while the fish passes through.
Always double-bag the fish:
Position the second bag inverted on top of the first one. Tie the first bag, securing the knot with an elastic band.
Use sturdy boxes lined with insulated foam coolers, which keep the temperature inside the bags stable.
Place the pack filler around the bags to ensure they stand upright in the box and won’t fall over.
Mark the box with “This Way Up” and “Live Fish” on all sides for clear identification.
Always ship overnight, and make sure the buyer gets home to take delivery.
If the fish will be in transit for more than 48 hours, arrange for re-bagging and re-oxygenation before this deadline.
Transportation
Raising beautiful betta fish takes time, money, and effort, so you want to do everything you can to make sure the fish arrives at its new home in good condition.
