AquaFarm International

What AquaFarm International does

AquaFarm International B.V. is a Netherlands-based wholesale ornamental fish breeder and distributor founded in 1987 and operating from a 6,500 m² greenhouse facility in Maasland. The company supplies over 450 species across four core product categories: tropical fish (guppies, discus, cichlids, tetras), coldwater fish and fantails (Ryukin, lionhead, telescope eye), premium Japanese Koi sourced from Niigata and Israeli breeders, and Medaka (Japanese rice fish) added in 2025. Its technical platform is built around individually filtered systems — 2,600 aquariums and 400 fibreglass tanks holding more than 1,000,000 liters of water — with rigorous quarantine protocols (2-month minimum for Japanese Koi), 80% water recycling, and heat recovery from wastewater. The company holds MPS sustainability certification since 1998 and OFI membership.

AquaFarm operates a pure B2B wholesale revenue model, selling in bulk to specialized pet stores, aquarium shops, and Koi dealers across the European Union at quote-based prices negotiated through its sister company Aquadistri's commercial offices. It does not disclose pricing and generates revenue through one-time wholesale transactions rather than subscriptions or licensing. Customer reach is 2,216–3,500+ stores across at least six EU countries (Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, France, Denmark), with weekly door-to-door deliveries via Aquadistri's own climate-controlled licensed trucks and certified couriers for additional regions.

The company is a subsidiary of the Aquatic Wholesale Group (AWG), a privately held strategic operating company managing a portfolio of aquatic, reptile, and pet care brands including Aquadistri (distribution), Ornafish (Japanese Koi export), Colombo (fish health products), AquaFleur, and ReptoFood. Since joining AWG in 2010, AquaFarm has leveraged intra-group synergies for sourcing, distribution, marketing, and veterinary expertise (Dr. Mario Blom, Dr. Gerald Bassleer), though it functions as a standalone operating subsidiary within the group structure.

Name

AquaFarm International

Legal name

AquaFarm International

Website

https://aquafarminternational.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

AquaFarm International is a Netherlands-based B2B wholesale breeder and distributor of ornamental fish — including tropical, coldwater, Japanese Koi, and Medaka — supplying over 450 species to 2,216+ specialized pet stores across the EU via sister company Aquadistri.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ornamental Fish Wholesale

NAICS

Finfish Farming and Fish Hatcheries (112511), Aquaculture (11251)

SIC

Agricultural Prod-Livestock & Animal Specialties (200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYAFAEAAAA

Finfish Farming (e.g., salmon, tilapia, catfish)

Agriculture & Food Production/Animal Production & Aquaculture/Aquaculture (Fish & Shellfish Farming)

SECONDARYAFAEAAAN

Aquaculture Processing & On-Farm Value-Add (primary handling, icing, packing)

Agriculture & Food Production/Animal Production & Aquaculture/Aquaculture (Fish & Shellfish Farming)

SECONDARYHLAMAHAF

Aquaculture Feed & Nutrition

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Veterinary & Animal Health/Animal Nutrition & Therapeutic Diets

SECONDARYAFAEANAE

Aquaculture & Fish Health Services

Agriculture & Food Production/Animal Production & Aquaculture/Animal Health & Veterinary Services

Keywords

• Ornamental fish wholesale
• Koi distribution
• Tropical fish supply
• Coldwater fish breeding
• Aquaculture facility

Headquarters

HQ city

Maasland

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Wholesale Ornamental Fish Sales: AquaFarm International operates as a B2B wholesale supplier of premium ornamental and coldwater fish. Fish are sourced from sister companies and trusted global suppliers, then distributed through the Aquadistri commercial network to specialized stores across Europe. Revenue is generated through bulk wholesale transactions with pet stores, aquarium shops, and Koi dealers throughout the EU.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

AquaFarm International is a B2B wholesale supplier of ornamental fish, breeding and quarantining over 450 species of tropical fish, coldwater fish, fantails, and premium Japanese Koi at a 6,500 m² greenhouse facility in Maasland, Netherlands. Fish are sourced globally from sister companies and trusted suppliers, undergo rigorous quarantine and quality control, and are distributed door-to-door across the European Union through sister company Aquadistri's commercial network.

Product overview

AquaFarm International operates as a wholesale ornamental fish breeding and distribution company, supplying over 450 species of tropical fish, coldwater fish and fantails, Japan Koi, and Medaka (Japanese rice fish) to specialized stores across the European Union. The company operates a 6,500 m² greenhouse facility in Maasland, Netherlands, featuring 2,600 aquariums for tropical fish and 400 individually filtered tanks for coldwater species. Fish are sourced from sister companies and trusted global suppliers, undergo rigorous quarantine and quality control before distribution. Products are delivered through sister company Aquadistri's distribution network to over 3,500 specialized stores across Europe.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Tropical Fish: Tropical ornamental fish including guppies, discus, cichlids, and tetras from over 2,600 aquariums
• Coldwater Fish
• Japan Koi
• Medaka

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 100,000 Koi sold annually including approximately 30,000 Japanese Koi
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AquadistricoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAquadistri is the primary distribution partner for AquaFarm International. As part of the same parent company (Aquatic Wholesale Group), Aquadistri handles all commercial distribution and logistics, delivering AquaFarm's fish products to over 3,500 specialized stores across Europe with weekly personalized deliveries. Aquadistri maintains offices in Holland, France, Germany, UK, and Hong Kong.
• OrnafishcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrnafish is a sister company within AWG that specializes in Japanese Koi export from Niigata. AquaFarm sources larger Koi directly from Japan through Ornafish, enabling premium Japanese Koi imports. Ornafish also provides on-the-ground support for AquaFarm's team in Japan for daily visits to Niigata breeders.
• HikaricoreOthersHikari is the exclusive fish food supplier used by AquaFarm. Described as 'the world's best fish food', Hikari products are used to feed fish twice daily. AquaFarm also distributes Hikari products through the Aquadistri network.
• Dr. Mario Blom (Colombo)minorOthersDr. Mario Blom is the founder of Colombo (sister AWG company) and provides expert veterinary support and consultation to AquaFarm for fish health policies, staff training, and knowledge development in the ornamental fish industry.
• Dr. Gerald BassleerminorOthersDr. Gerald Bassleer is a renowned fish specialist who provides expert consultation and training support to AquaFarm's team, enhancing knowledge of fish keeping and health policies.
• Niigata Koi Breeders (Japan)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAquaFarm maintains daily visits to Koi breeders in Niigata, Japan through their on-ground team. These relationships enable access to the best Koi specimens and market opportunities, supporting AquaFarm's position as a leading Koi supplier in Europe.
• Israeli Koi BreederscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAquaFarm sources Koi from Israel alongside Japan, diversifying supply and offering Israeli Koi selected from the best breeders. Combined with Japanese imports, this provides customers with choice across Koi varieties.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Ornafish: AWG sister company specializing in Japanese Koi export from Niigata; sources AquaFarm's largest Koi and shares customer relationships. Closely comparable niche Koi wholesaler with overlapping supplier and customer base.
• Aquarium Glaser: Long-standing German ornamental fish importer and wholesaler offering a broad tropical, coldwater, and oddball-fish assortment to European retailers. Closest independent competitor in terms of species breadth and B2B wholesale motion.
• Colombo: AWG sister company producing fish health products and medications for the ornamental aquarium trade. Comparable as a complementary aquatics brand sold through the same Aquadistri distribution channel.
• Aquadistri: Sister company within Aquatic Wholesale Group and AquaFarm's exclusive distribution channel, delivering ornamental fish weekly to 3,500+ specialized EU stores. Directly comparable as an ornamental-fish B2B distributor serving the same customer base.
• Koda GmbH: German ornamental fish and Koi wholesaler with comparable breadth in tropical and pond fish distribution across the DACH region. Directly competes with AquaFarm/Aquadistri in Germany.

Broad incumbents

• Hikari: Global premium ornamental fish food manufacturer and AquaFarm's exclusive feed supplier. Comparable as an incumbent in the same ornamental aquatics value chain with overlapping customer and end-consumer base.
• Tetra (Spectrum Brands): Global mass-market aquarium brand (food, equipment, care) owned by Spectrum Brands. Comparable as the largest incumbent in the ornamental aquatics category with overlapping end-consumer demand drivers.
• Sera GmbH: Established German manufacturer of ornamental fish food, water care, and aquarium products serving European pet retail. Comparable as a broader aquatics incumbent sharing the same specialty retail customers.
• JBL GmbH: German aquarium products company (foods, water treatment, equipment) selling through the same European pet retail channels. Adjacent incumbent sharing end-market and customer base with AquaFarm.

Regional players

• Oase Living Water: German-based manufacturer of pond and aquarium technology (filters, pumps, lighting) primarily serving the European Koi and pond hobby segment. Comparable end-market (premium Koi/pond hobbyists) but different product focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@AquafarmInternationalBV
• Instagraminstagram.com/aquafarminternational
• Facebookfacebook.com/aquafarminternational
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aquafarm-international-b.v.

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about AquaFarm International