What is behind the rise in aquarium fish prices?

Question

I work for a pet store and I'm often needled with comments and complaints about our high prices on aquarium fish. I've asked my manager(s) about this, and they could only respond that "the price of the supplier increased, so we increased our price to make a profit". I've researched prices for the most commonly asked about species, and I've found that our prices are very close to competitors prices- some higher and some lower. My father and I discussed this, and he does admit that, while our prices aren't drastically different than what he "can get elsewhere", the price of aquarium fish, both freshwater and marine, has increased recently in the past year or two. I know that the price of market fish- cod, haddock, sole, etc- increased due to tariffs and trade restrictions in the UK and such, but what is the reason behind the spike in aquarium fish prices? Is it for the same reason? Or is there another reason I haven't come across in my research on the subject?

Oh, that's true.. I hadn't thought about the shipping cost in fuel to get the fish here. I am QUITE aware, however, that there is not an endless supply of "fish in the sea", though, thanks. I asked my question based on the research I've done hoping to get some leads on where to do MORE research AFTERWARD. Thankyou, neo-environmentalist. *thumbs up!*

Answer 1

Try researching how the seas are doing. It's becoming harder and harder to simply have a local villager swim out to net fish.

In the 70's and 80's it was cyanide and dynamite used to collect tons of fish.
Now with people becoming more environmentally aware the costs have gone up because it's not as easy and your also getting a better product in most cases.
Also the fact that the oceans are becoming over-fished has a lot to do with the end result of the chain.
It's not as if there are billions of Tangs or Clownfish or Tetras anymore.
The reef hobby and saltwater hobbies for example are breeding tank raised species which are a more hardier species of the natural occurring types and normally much more resilient. These advances do not come without a price either.
You may want to do a little more research than what you've touched on so far.

The bottom line is if and when we lose our benefits from the sea animals, we as a species are done. Life is cyclical and so is the chain of events that permit it to happen.

Answer 2

Have you considered the rise in the cost of gasoline/fuel that's needed for shipping that's also increased during this time? Not only for the shipping of the fish to the stores, but for transporting wild-caught species, and supplies needed for keeping/feeding them?

Also, cost of living increases for people involved in capture, transport, breeding, and care.


ADDITION: One way you might look at cutting your costs is to support local fish clubs/breeders by buying their stock. The fish have much less to travel, and you'll be cutting out a lot of the "middlemen" in shipping and fish care that also need to be paid. It might not be possible to get all your stock in this way, but any little bit can help! You might also find that advanced hobbiests/breeders have some surerior stock as far as the commonly sold species (guppies, bettas), and may even keep more unusual species (killifish, cichlids, etc.). Where I live in the US, some stores will buy outright, and others give store credit for fish. It also keeps the breeders/hobbiests coming back to your store if they might otherwise shop elsewhere.