Specialty Fish Store + eCommerce Business - Cashflow Up 33% in 2 years
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Rare opportunity to acquire a 25-year-old specialty aquarium and e-commerce business with $888,234 in trailing revenue and $120,000 in seller's discretionary earnings — both up every year for the past three years. This is not a typical pet store. It's a nationally-shipping, category-leading freshwater aquarium platform built around premium discus fish, with a 4.8-star reputation across more than 400 customer reviews.
Founded in 2001 by a lifelong discus breeder, the company began as a home-based operation and grew, through direct relationships with internationally recognized breeders, into a full-service destination for freshwater aquarium enthusiasts. In 2008 it moved into its current purpose-built, 4,000-square-foot facility housing more than 420 aquariums, expanding from a discus specialist into a complete freshwater retailer carrying exotic tropical fish, live plants, aquascaping materials, and full aquarium systems.
The customer base is genuinely national. While the business maintains a loyal local following of hobbyists, collectors, and retirees who travel from across the region specifically to buy here, national shipping — three times weekly, with a live-arrival guarantee — extends the customer base across the U.S. and Canada and accounts for roughly 40% of sales.
Financially, this business tells a story that's uncommon at this size: consistent, compounding growth rather than a flat or declining trend. Revenue has grown every year for three straight years, from $772,241 to $888,234. Seller's discretionary earnings have grown even faster — from $90,000 to $120,000 — reflecting real operating leverage, not a one-time event. The business also carries approximately $300,000–$320,000 in owned inventory, providing tangible asset backing well beyond the earnings multiple alone.
The growth runway for a new owner is specific and documented, not speculative. Only two customers are on any recurring or subscription plan today. Paid marketing has never exceeded $300–400/month against a national, premium-intent audience. There is no Amazon or marketplace presence. And the business doesn't yet serve the commercial and office aquarium maintenance accounts that prospective customers already request — that demand is being turned away today. None of this requires reinventing the business. It requires scaling what's already proven to work.
Operationally, this business does not depend on its owner. A team with 8–19 years of tenure runs daily operations — livestock care, customer service, fulfillment — independently, and more than fifteen active breeder and supplier relationships mean no dependency on any single source. The seller will support a structured transition, including supplier introductions and transfer of 25 years of pricing and sourcing knowledge.
This is a business that combines rare qualities buyers almost never find together: a proven, growing cash-flow story; hard asset backing; 25 years of category-defining reputation; and a documented, uncapped path to scale. Businesses with all four of these traits sell quickly.
Serious, financially qualified buyers only. Full financial statements, the business name, and exact location are available immediately upon execution of a Non-Disclosure Agreement — request access today.
Founded in 2001 by a lifelong discus breeder, the company began as a home-based operation and grew, through direct relationships with internationally recognized breeders, into a full-service destination for freshwater aquarium enthusiasts. In 2008 it moved into its current purpose-built, 4,000-square-foot facility housing more than 420 aquariums, expanding from a discus specialist into a complete freshwater retailer carrying exotic tropical fish, live plants, aquascaping materials, and full aquarium systems.
The customer base is genuinely national. While the business maintains a loyal local following of hobbyists, collectors, and retirees who travel from across the region specifically to buy here, national shipping — three times weekly, with a live-arrival guarantee — extends the customer base across the U.S. and Canada and accounts for roughly 40% of sales.
Financially, this business tells a story that's uncommon at this size: consistent, compounding growth rather than a flat or declining trend. Revenue has grown every year for three straight years, from $772,241 to $888,234. Seller's discretionary earnings have grown even faster — from $90,000 to $120,000 — reflecting real operating leverage, not a one-time event. The business also carries approximately $300,000–$320,000 in owned inventory, providing tangible asset backing well beyond the earnings multiple alone.
The growth runway for a new owner is specific and documented, not speculative. Only two customers are on any recurring or subscription plan today. Paid marketing has never exceeded $300–400/month against a national, premium-intent audience. There is no Amazon or marketplace presence. And the business doesn't yet serve the commercial and office aquarium maintenance accounts that prospective customers already request — that demand is being turned away today. None of this requires reinventing the business. It requires scaling what's already proven to work.
Operationally, this business does not depend on its owner. A team with 8–19 years of tenure runs daily operations — livestock care, customer service, fulfillment — independently, and more than fifteen active breeder and supplier relationships mean no dependency on any single source. The seller will support a structured transition, including supplier introductions and transfer of 25 years of pricing and sourcing knowledge.
This is a business that combines rare qualities buyers almost never find together: a proven, growing cash-flow story; hard asset backing; 25 years of category-defining reputation; and a documented, uncapped path to scale. Businesses with all four of these traits sell quickly.
Serious, financially qualified buyers only. Full financial statements, the business name, and exact location are available immediately upon execution of a Non-Disclosure Agreement — request access today.
About the Business
- Years in Operation
- 32
- Facilities & Assets
- Business operates from a purpose-built, approximately 4,000-square-foot facility housing more than 420 aquariums — combining retail showroom, livestock holding and quarantine systems, and e-commerce fulfillment under one roof. Approximately 6–7 years remain on the current lease.
FF&E is included in the asking price: full aquarium and life-support systems (tanks, filtration, plumbing, water treatment), retail fixtures and displays, POS/e-commerce hardware, and shipping/packing stations built for national livestock fulfillment.
Inventory is included in the asking price: approximately $300,000–$320,000 on a rolling physical-count basis, comprising live aquatic inventory, dry goods, and aquarium supplies — well above the depreciated book value carried on the balance sheet. - Market Outlook / Competition
- The U.S. pet industry remains one of the most resilient consumer categories, with ornamental fish and aquarium supplies a specialized, passionate subsegment — customers don't just buy a fish, they build an environment, creating recurring, multi-category spend.
The business competes on three fronts. Against big-box retailers, it wins on livestock health, specialty depth, and hands-on expertise rather than price. Against local independent aquarium shops, it holds a clear edge in selection, discus category authority, breeder relationships, and 25 years of accumulated reputation. Against online-only sellers, it combines a trusted physical destination with national e-commerce shipping — a stronger, more trusted model than a website alone, especially for live-animal purchases where buyer trust is paramount. - Opportunities for Growth
- Multiple specific, owner-identified growth channels remain unbuilt or underdeveloped:
• Subscription revenue — recurring food, water treatment, and care-supply plans are almost untapped; only 2 customers subscribe today.
• Digital marketing — spend of $300–400/month is a fraction of what this national, premium audience could support.
• Maintenance & commercial accounts — office, medical, and hospitality clients already ask for this; demand is currently turned away.
• Amazon & marketplace sales — no presence today for food, supplies, or private-label kits.
• Category expansion — koi, African cichlids, ponds, and aquascaping, all owner-validated.
• Trade shows — a confirmed strong performer when attended, not yet a regular calendar.
• Database monetization — ~1,700 contacts, largely un-segmented.
Real Estate
- Owned or Leased
- Leased
- Building Sq. Ft.
- 5,000
- Rent
- $3,300 per month
- Lease Expiration
- 1/15/2029
About the Sale
- Seller Motivation
- Owner Retiring
- Transition Support
- Seller will support a structured 30/60/90-day transition. First 30 days: employee and process introductions, inventory and vendor review, and hands-on training in daily livestock care. Days 31–60: supplier and breeder relationship introductions, pricing and sourcing training, and a full marketing/website handoff. Days 61–90: buyer assumes full operational control while seller remains available for continuity support.
Long-tenured staff (8–19 years each) remain in place and run day-to-day operations independent of ownership, significantly reducing transition risk. An extended post-closing consulting arrangement can also be discussed for the right buyer.
Listing Info
- ID
- 2553817
- Listing Views
- 11
Attached DocumentsAttachment Disclaimer
Listing ID: 2553817 The information on this listing has been provided by either the seller or a business broker representing the seller. BizQuest has no interest or stake in the sale of this business and has not verified any of the information and assumes no responsibility for its accuracy, veracity, or completeness. See our full Terms of Use. Learn how to avoid scams.
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