Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Is it possible to grow out 10cm youngsters to plate size in 3 months?

Contact Mary on 0407 999 610 if you have any to sell.

I wouldn't like your chances Mary. I think I had my barramundi in until April/May, of course it will depend on the weather conditions for the year. Of course trout will likely be available in April.

Thanks Faye. TAFE's are too small to start now. Do you know the phone number of the chap in Bedfordale who sells big ones?

How long could I leave the tank empty but cycling? I have tomatoes, celery & lettuce growing - no fish since Nov.

Last I heard the guy in Bedfordale had stopped selling them before Christmas.
I would probably put some goldfish in, (as it is only April before trout will be available again) They can be reasonably cheap and fun to keep.
"A fish tank without fish, is like a garden with out flowers."
Perhaps in your case a "Fishtank without fish, is like canvas without paint."

Thanks Faye. At the moment I don't have the energy for flowers or painting. How many koi would I need? Will the trout eat them next winter?

Mary perhaps you could get some cheap feeder fish form an aquarium shop. (They may not call them feeder fish because of animal ethics though.) I bought around 100 a couple of years ago and put them in my fish tank between the trout and the barramundi, they kept the system ticking over and the barramundi had live feed when they were introduced. The feeder fish were cheaper than gold fish because they were not so attractive due to not colouring up and people didn't want them. If you already have goldfish I would probably stick to them, but perhaps add a few more. I am not a big supporter of mixing fish species, I think they cohabitate better with their own type. Koi are probably dearer than gold fish and the trout will eat anything that they can fit in their mouth. If you get goldfish you could keep them in the winter in an inground pond. I have two at my place and they do not need any pumping or filtering, just water plants and they survive just fine. Aaah there are so many choices. We also have mollies here in a still pond with water lillies, papyrus and cannas and they are breeding like crazy. Joel bought 8 about 5 weeks ago and we now have something like 58, the pond is home to damselflies which are breeding as well as frogs and tadpoles and duckweed, I love that pond.

From memory, an aquarium shop in Gosnells used to sell bronze comets goldfish at $12 for 10. If you have another still pond/tank somewhere, you can possibly transfer them there when you put in the trouts and then transfer them back again during the next period.

Thanks guys. I paid $13.50 for 5 little goldfish from City Farmers. Will have to suss out some aquarium shops for more. Winter pond is a good idea, it had occurred to me too. I wonder if it would survive in a chook yard? I have limited space here!

Mary - try Vebas Aquariums on Carrington St, OConnor.

6 goldies for $10 usually!