One of the most exciting things about owning an aquaponics system is buying new fish. Here are a few tips to ensure you get the best fish.
What to Buy
The time of year determines what fish you buy and the size you buy them. Some examples:
Trout: GENERALY RAINBOW TROUT
Season Start: Early – Mid April (Depending on the early or late onset of cooler weather and stockist availability).
Season End: October – Mid November (Depending on the early or late onset of warmer weather).
Barramundi:
Season Start: Early – Mid December (Depending on the early or late onset of cooler weather and stockist availability).
Season End: April – Early May (Depending on the early or late onset of cooler weather).
Silver Perch: SUBURBAN FARMERS FAVOURITE/MOST RECOMMENDED
All Year Round
If you need fish and it is mid-way through a season, then you will need to buy larger fingerlings/stock than you would have done at the start of the season.
Trout and Barramundi have a finite time that you can keep them so you need to have grown them to an eating size by the end of the season. If you buy them too small you run the risk of them being too small to eat at the end of their respective seasons. As our seasons are changing and weather is not predictable as before, my advice is to go SILVER PERCH. They will be able to handle the weatherly changes and seasonality changes, pH and D/O issues, essentially bomb proof. However, to get them to dinner plate size, it is generally around 2yrs before you can harvest.
TIP: If you have just started a new system, and you plan on buying larger fish, you will need to buy significantly less than the smaller fish available at the start of the season. This is due to the larger fish putting more waste into a system that is most likely not able to filter the amount of waste the larger fish will put into the system. Remembering STOCK DENSITY RATIOS.
Where to Find Fingerlings
Online you will find information on aquaponics fingerling stockists and availability.
Look for commercial aquaculture or fish farms, even stores supplying aquarium fish will have fish or know who you can speak to.
TIP: Many suppliers have large stocking tanks and will restock smaller ‘retail’ tanks about once a week. Ring ahead and ask them what day the retail tanks are re-stocked. Organise to pick up your fish on this day as the fish will be significantly less stressed, compared to what they will be like after a week of being chased around with a net!
What You Need
On the day of pickup, you will need:
A Large Transport Container, durable.
..Preferably a dark container (Removing direct sunlight and movements in the car will reduce fish stress). A large esky is perfect.
…..With a lid (stop water spillage).
……..And even better for distances over 10 minutes driving, a battery powered aerator. You will need an air supply to transport the fish home (even if it is a 10 minute journey). These are cheap, even a $10.00 unit with bubblers will do the trick.
The Day of Pickup
Water has great momentum and is heavy, so practice putting the container in your car seat and belting it in so it is sturdy. Remember this is going to be a lot harder when the container has water so get the procedure down pat.
Selecting the Fish
When choosing fish, observe the fish and ensure they are spritely. Fish darting swiftly around the fish tank is what you are looking for.
Avoid fish that are sluggish. Check that they have no visible white spots, the tail is intact, and no visible excessive slime. Correct selection is best made by an expert or trained staff.
Also avoid fish that are gasping or swimming at surface.
TIP: Watch the way the fish are put in container by staff. Ensure that there is enough water in the container so as if a fish is dropped from 30cm above it does not hit the bottom of the transport container, stressing and possibly damaging the fish. Most reputable fish stockists will have proper bagging and transport containers available either for hire or purchase, along with oxygen injection.
REMBEMBER: Buy feed at same time.
If you are buying Marron or Yabbies, don’t fill the container with water. If either species is transported in water the water requires aeration. Instead, take a towel and dip it in the fish tank water (paper towels would do). Both species are fine to be transported in a container with a damp towel to your home/their home.
BLESSINGS AND LOVE RAS MARK SUBURBAN FARMER