Why Buy Florida Tropical Fish?

Q. Can Florida ornamental fish be price competitive with imported fish?

A. Yes, the price of Florida ornamental fish is very competitive. This is particularly true with larger fish. The delivered cost of larger size fish from Florida will be less than or at least the same as an imported fish, due to the high cost of transportation.  Often, we are not comparing apples with apples.   To keep their prices down, foreign exporters need to ship large numbers of small fish.  For example, if you were to order 200 regular Tiger Barbs from Asia you would get 200 fish the size of a dime.  On the other hand, the same 200 regular Tiger Barbs from Florida would be the size of a quarter. Therefore the Florida ornamental fish have a greater value and will ultimately sell better at the retail level.  There is more than just the list price to consider when doing the cost analysis of imported verses Florida fish.  The actual value and quality of the fish needs to be considered, as well as the cost of shipping and the higher mortality rates of imported fish.  There may also be the additional hidden cost of quarantining unhealthy imported fish in order to condition them before selling. Florida ornamental fish will arrive healthy and ready to sell to your customers.

Q. Why are Florida ornamental fish healthier then imported fish?

A.  The Florida farmer is very knowledgeable in fish production techniques, has access to high quality feeds, and is supported by an outstanding extension service.   The University of Florida Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory has on staff veterinarians, field technicians, and researchers all of whom support the Florida farmer.  Furthermore, our distribution networks allow for fish to be shipped with a minimum amount of stress.  An imported fish will have begun its journey in a remote region of the world and shipped to a collection center before being shipped again, across the ocean, to the USA: only to be received by yet another collection center, repacked, and shipped again on to you.

Q. Can I get the service I need?

A.  The Florida fish farmer will take your order 7 days a week.  Moreover, one of the greatest advantages of ordering Florida grown fish, is that you can be very specific about the type, size and quantity you want.  In addition, they can usually be delivered to you within 24 hours.  Unlike transshipped imports which are only shipped once a week, require a large minimum order, and have no standard in regards to type and size.

Q. Can I get the variety of ornamental fish I need from Florida?

A. There are approximately 400 varieties of ornamental fish, 200 varieties of aquatic plants, and numerous crustaceans, mollusks, and amphibians raised right here in Florida.  In fact many farmers, in conjunction with the University of Florida Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory, are currently working on producing even more varieties of fish.  There are even a few Florida Farmers who have begun captive breeding fish which, until recently, could only be caught in the wilds of Africa, Asia, or South America.