AMBLARD S.A.

What AMBLARD S.A. does

AMBLARD S.A. is a privately held French B2B wholesaler, founded in 1994 by Frédéric Amblard, that imports, acclimatizes and distributes ornamental freshwater and marine fish, invertebrates and aquatic plants to professional customers across Europe and internationally. The company is based in Sorèze (Tarn) with operational sites in Paris Roissy Charles de Gaulle, Villepinte and Mazamet, and has been described as a European leader in import, acclimatization and distribution since 2009. Customers comprise public aquariums and oceanographic museums (Rotterdam Zoo, Barcelona Aquarium, National Marine Aquarium Plymouth, Cité de la Mer, Grand Aquarium de St Malo and others), pet shops, garden centers, wholesalers, importers, and — more recently — German purchasing cooperatives such as Koelle Zoo.

The company's core technology centers on patented biosecure acclimatization and trans-shipping methods for live aquatic animals, including 12 international patents across France, Europe, the United States, Canada and Japan covering packaging for live animal transport, reconditioning processes, and fragging/coral cultivation supports. AMBLARD operates what it describes as the world's largest autonomous Indonesian coral farm, producing proprietary branded coral lines (Lombok Frags, Iran-Jaya Frags, Bali Frags, Kalimantan Frags, Nano Frags). Operational quality is reinforced by ISO 9001 (Villepinte, Mazamet) and ISO 14001 certifications, IATA air-freight accreditation, and Marine Aquarium Council certification — the company is the first and only MAC-certified trans-shipper worldwide and the only European company with this double international certification.

Revenue derives primarily from one-time wholesale sales of aquatic animals to professionals through a dedicated B2B portal (pro.amblard.com), with professional pricing and catalogs gated behind the portal. A secondary revenue stream is the franchise network of AMBLARD-branded acclimatization centers and trans-shipping platforms, where franchisees license the company's patented methods, supplier networks, negotiated prices and biologist technical assistance in exchange for fees/royalties. A third line, 'Aquarium by Amblard,' offers custom residential and commercial aquarium design, manufacturing, installation and maintenance. Distribution is global for live animals (daily imports from worldwide sources), with customs, veterinary and phytosanitary formalities handled in-house.

Name

AMBLARD S.A.

Legal name

AMBLARD S.A.

Website

https://amblard.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

AMBLARD S.A. is a French B2B wholesaler, founded 1994, that imports, acclimatizes and distributes ornamental freshwater and marine fish, invertebrates and aquatic plants to professional aquarium trade customers across Europe and globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ornamental Aquarium Livestock Distribution

NAICS

Aquaculture (11251), Fish and Seafood Merchant Wholesalers (424460), Finfish Farming and Fish Hatcheries (112511)

akta.pro primary industry

Ornamental & Aquarium Fish Farming (AFAEAAAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Aquaculture Health, Biosecurity & Veterinary Services (AFAEAAAK), Finfish Farming (e.g., salmon, tilapia, catfish) (AFAEAAAA), Aquarium & Fish Supplies Retail (CRALAHAI)

Keywords

• Ornamental fish wholesale
• Aquatic animal distribution
• Marine aquarium livestock
• Coral aquaculture supply
• Live fish transportation

Headquarters

HQ city

Sorèze

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. B2B Wholesale of Aquatic Animals: Sale of fish, invertebrates, and aquatic plants (freshwater and marine) exclusively to professional customers including retailers, wholesalers, importers, and public aquariums. Regular supplies sourced globally with both wild-caught and captive-bred species.
2. Franchise Network: Franchise opportunities for opening acclimatization centers and trans-shipping platforms under the AMBLARD brand. Franchisees receive logistical support, supplier networks, and training in exchange for licensing the AMBLARD system and brand.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

AMBLARD S.A. supplies ornamental freshwater and marine fish, invertebrates, and aquatic plants to professional aquarium trade customers (pet shops, garden centers, wholesalers, importers, and public aquariums). The company sources species globally from selected fishermen and breeders and acclimatizes them through biosecure, patented methods at its French acclimatization centers before distribution. It also produces sustainable cultured corals (Lombok Frags, Bali Frags, Nano Frags) at the world's largest autonomous Indonesian coral farm and licenses its acclimatization platform through a franchise network.

Product overview

AMBLARD S.A. operates a diversified portfolio of aquarium-related businesses: the core offering is B2B sale of fish, invertebrates, and aquatic plants for freshwater and marine aquariums, complemented by custom aquarium manufacturing through 'Aquarium by Amblard'. The company also produces sustainable cultured corals (Lombok Frags, Bali Frags, Nano Frags) cultivated in Indonesia, operates professional acclimatization center services, and offers a franchise network for independent acclimatization and trans-shipping platforms. All products and services share a common focus on quality aquatics, biosecure handling, and environmental sustainability.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Aquarium by Amblard: Custom-made aquarium manufacturer for residential and business decoration. Provides design, manufacturing, installation and maintenance services.

Products and services

• Biodiversity for Aquarium (Fish, Invertebrates and Aquatic Plants) B2B sale of freshwater and marine fish, invertebrates, and aquatic plants for professional aquarium trade customers, including pet shops, garden centers, wholesalers, importers, and public aquariums. Sourced globally from selected fishermen and breeders and biosecure-acclimatized before distribution.
• Aquarium by Amblard Custom-made aquarium manufacturer providing design, manufacturing, installation, and maintenance services for residential and commercial properties. Targeted at clients seeking prestige bespoke aquariums for decoration of homes and businesses.
• Cultured Corals (Lombok Frags, Iran-Jaya Frags, Bali Frags, Kalimantan Frags, Nano Frags) Sustainable captive-bred coral product line cultivated at the world's largest autonomous Indonesian coral farm, including the branded lines Lombok Frags (Lombok), Iran-Jaya Frags (Irian-Jaya), Bali Frags (Bali), Kalimantan Frags (Kalimantan), and Nano Frags for miniature Nano Reef aquariums. Reduces wild coral collection pressure and supports reef restoration.
• AMBLARD Franchise Network Franchise program licensing AMBLARD-branded acclimatization centers and trans-shipping platforms. Franchisees receive patented acclimatization techniques, supplier networks, negotiated pricing, and biologist technical assistance in exchange for licensing fees, with the aim of expanding AMBLARD's local market presence worldwide.

Quantifiable outcome

• Less than 1% mortality rate for MAC certified animals
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• International Air Transport Association (IATA)coreTechnology or IntegrationAMBLARD holds IATA accreditation, an official recognition of the competence of its transport and logistics management in air freight. Created in 1945, IATA unifies and coordinates international norms and regulations for airline freight and safety.
• Marine Aquarium CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAMBLARD is the first and only worldwide trans-shipper certified by Marine Aquarium Council, and the only European company with this double international certification. MAC is a non-governmental organization working for ethical marine commerce through the aquatics distribution chain.
• Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie Franco Indonésienne (IFCCI)minorOthersFranco-Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry affiliation supporting business relationships between France and Indonesia.
• Syndicat français des métiers de l'animalerie (PRODAF)minorOthersFrench Union of Animal Related Employment membership representing the pet industry sector.
• Koelle ZoominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGerman purchasing cooperative for pet stores. AMBLARD became a referenced supplier for Koelle Zoo, expanding distribution in the German market.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• LiveAquaria: Large US online retailer of ornamental fish, corals, plants and aquarium supplies serving both consumers and professionals — overlaps with AMBLARD on livestock and supplies but operates at much greater scale and with broader consumer reach.
• JBL: Germany-based manufacturer and wholesaler of branded aquarium equipment, water treatments and feeds across Europe — overlaps with AMBLARD on European aquarium-trade distribution and B2B retailer relationships, but focuses on consumables rather than livestock.

Direct peers

• Two Little Fishies: US manufacturer and wholesaler of premium marine aquarium products, supplements and aquacultured corals — closely comparable to AMBLARD's branded coral frag lines (Lombok, Bali, Nano Frags) and B2B positioning.
• Wet Spot Tropical Fish: Portland-based importer and wholesaler of tropical freshwater and marine fish to retailers across the US — overlapping with AMBLARD's role as an importer and B2B distributor of ornamental aquatic species.
• Brightwell Aquatics: US producer of premium aquarium water treatments, supplements and aquacultured coral foods for the B2B trade — comparable specialty-positioning, B2B channel focus and emphasis on technical/scientific aquarium inputs.
• Tropical Marine Centre (TMC): UK-based wholesaler of aquarium livestock, equipment and treatments to retailers across Europe — overlapping with AMBLARD on B2B ornamental fish and aquatic plant distribution, biosecurity focus and European customer footprint.
• Sustainable Aquatics: US captive-bred marine ornamental fish producer serving the aquarium trade — analogous to AMBLARD's shift toward aquaculture-grown livestock and emphasis on sustainability/traceability for the B2B channel.
• Oceans, Reefs and Aquariums (ORA): Florida-based captive-bred marine ornamental fish and invertebrate producer supplying retailers and wholesalers — closely comparable to AMBLARD's coral aquaculture and captive-bred ornamental livestock positioning.
• AquaCave: US-based aquarium livestock and supplies wholesaler/retailer serving hobbyists and retailers — comparable B2B/B2C ornamental aquatic distribution model though smaller and consumer-skewed.
• Quality Marine: US-based marine aquarium livestock wholesaler selling fish, corals and invertebrates to retailers and public aquariums — directly comparable to AMBLARD's B2B ornamental marine livestock distribution model and elite public-aquarium customer base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/AmblardFrance
• Instagraminstagram.com/amblard
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/amblard-sa

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 AMBLARD S.A.