Too many fish? Great problem.
Where to sell your fish
without getting your listing pulled
Your guppies did what guppies do. Your cherry shrimp colony has opinions about population control. Your plants need a haircut. Here's where those extras can actually go, and how to send them off right.
The short answer
Facebook Marketplace doesn't allow animals, fish included, so those listings get pulled. Your best bets are local fish stores, aquarium club swaps and auctions, local fish groups that allow sales, and classifieds built for the hobby where live fish are welcome.
Your options, honestly
Every one of these works. They just work differently.
Your local fish store
Fast, easy, zero haggling
- Many buy or trade healthy fish from hobbyists
- Store credit often beats cash
- Builds a friendship with your shop
- Lowest price of any option
- They'll only take what they can sell
Tip: Call first and ask what they're looking for. Shops love healthy, well-sized, home-bred fish.
Find shops near youClub swaps and auctions
The most fun, and fair prices
- Buyers who really know fish
- Rare stuff sells well
- You'll leave with new fish (sorry)
- Only a few times a year
- You need to be there in person
Tip: Label bags with species, count and your name. Good labels sell fish.
See eventsLocal fish groups on Facebook
Big local audiences
- Lots of local keepers in one place
- Many groups allow sales and trades
- Each group has its own rules
- Posts get buried in a day
- Marketplace itself is off-limits
Tip: Read the group rules first. Some only allow sales on certain days or in one thread.
Craigslist
Old school, still around
- Wide local reach
- Great for tanks and gear
- The pets section is for rehoming, not selling
- Lots of lowballs and no-shows
Tip: Use it for tanks, stands and equipment. Check your city's pet rules before listing livestock.
Built for exactly this
Underground Aquarium classifieds
- Live fish, shrimp, snails and plants welcome
- Free to post, no fees, no commission
- Buyers near you, sorted by area
- Sell, trade, or give away free
How to price your fish
No spreadsheet required.
~½
of your local shop's price is a common starting point for healthy, adult-sized fish
↓
for small juveniles, common species, or a big batch sold together
↑
for rare species, proven breeding pairs, or fish with known lineage
Check what the same fish is listed for near you first. Selling in groups (“6 for $30”) moves schooling fish faster and keeps them in groups at their new home, which is better for everyone with fins.
Bagging fish for a pickup
Send them off happy.
- 1
Skip feeding for a day. Less food in means less waste in the bag, and cleaner water on the ride.
- 2
One-third water, two-thirds air. Use water from their own tank. The air is their oxygen supply.
- 3
Double bag, round the corners. Tuck or band the bottom corners so tiny fish and shrimp can't get trapped.
- 4
Spiky fish get extra care. Plecos and some catfish can poke through. Double bag, or use a container.
- 5
Hide them from the light. A paper bag or cooler keeps them calm. Dark is relaxing for fish.
- 6
Watch the weather. An insulated cooler protects them from hot cars and cold mornings.
Share your water numbers (temperature, pH and hardness) with the buyer. It helps them acclimate, and it's the kind of thing that turns buyers into repeat buyers.
Be the seller people come back to
The fish are counting on you.
Only sell healthy fish
If something's off in the tank, wait. A sick fish sold is a whole tank of someone else's fish at risk.
Be honest about what it is
Species, rough age, size, and anything quirky. A clear photo sells faster than a paragraph.
Meet somewhere public
A store parking lot is ideal. Your local fish shop's lot is even better, and you can pick up food on the way out.
Can't sell them? Give them a home.
Trade, offer store credit swaps, or list them free. Never release fish, snails or plants into local water.
Questions people ask
Can you sell fish on Facebook Marketplace?
No. Facebook's commerce policies say listings may not promote the buying or selling of animals, and that includes fish, shrimp and snails. Listings get removed, and repeat listings can get your Marketplace access limited. Some local Facebook groups allow fish sales under their own group rules, so check each group before posting.
Can I sell fish on Craigslist?
Craigslist's pets section is set up for rehoming animals, not selling them, and it generally only allows a small rehoming fee. Read the posting rules for your city before you list.
Is it legal to sell fish I bred at home?
For common aquarium species, hobbyists in the US generally sell or trade extras locally without any issue. Some states restrict specific species (certain invasive fish, snails and plants), and selling at a larger scale can bring business rules into play. When in doubt, check your state's fish and wildlife agency.
How much should I charge for my fish?
Look at what the same fish is going for near you, then price below your local fish store. Many hobbyists land somewhere around half of the shop's price for healthy, well-sized fish, less for small juveniles, more for rare species or proven breeding groups.
What if nobody buys them?
Trade them, offer them to your local fish store for store credit, bring them to a club swap, or list them free to a good home. Never release aquarium fish, snails or plants into local waterways.
Somebody near you wants those fish
Snap a photo, set a price, pick your area. Free to post, and live fish are welcome.