Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

+1 for pecking order with the silvers... It's quite interesting to watch the social dynamic of my silvers and koi in my indoor tank.

I have still been have the occasional SP death.
Symptoms include:
-Fin erosion
-Mild abdominal and fin haemorrhaging.

I decided to grade them on the suspicion of bullying, however I think it is more likely some form of parasitic infection.
Salted the system to 4ppt.
In hind sight, I should have given the little guys a short salt bath at 10ppt whilst I had them out of the tanks.

Barra are going well, most in the order of 250-300g. Would have liked them a bit bigger, but considering the time of year, I think it's time a few started heading toward the kitchen

Good thinking Scottt

Not sure about bullying, but having watched the silvers I had in my aquarium in doors all last year I did notice they get territorial. Even with out any structures in the tank, just water current and airstones, each fish would retreat to it's spot in the tank when not feeding.

It may explain your situation, that is as the fish get bigger territories get smaller, hence more arguments..(almost human like isn't it )

Not a bad idea to salt them and grade them.

H.

From my indoor tank I have also noticed Silvers have a very strong pecking order. Fish from other breeds not expecting it, get quite beaten up.
Until my koi grew they had a hard time of it, they're now as big as any silver in the tank, and can hold their own.
There is a distinct hierarchy, and I can easily number the top 4.

we never used to bother too much, but recently we have realised the benefits of regular grading... get rid of the aggressive and bigger fish (generally they are one and the same) and the smaller ones catch up really quick. we are grading infrequently at about once a month and sending the big ones off to their new home with the fishing club, and the smaller ones are catching up within a week or 2. I love the silvers wen they get to that size of about 150 - 180mm, they staart to look like real fish and you can begin to imagine them on the bbq

Hi Scott,

Has the grading stopped the deaths?

H.

My silvers are getting big but it is the catfish that bluff them. Think it has to do with they way they move as group.

All is looking good.
No more silver deaths.
Not sure if it was the grading or salting, or the combination of both.
Plants have suffered slightly with the salt.

Barra on the menu for Saturday night........

Humm ... think it might be time for agrading myself.... had three deaths in the last month... all the smaller ones... no visible signs of disease... or apparant cause...

Yay, Barra for tea! I have been having fish and salad nearly every night for tea, and i'm getting a bit sick of it

in ya beer mate

Short notice BBQ at Scottt's
I have a stack of smallish Barra to consume before trout season.
Due to undue pressure form Jimmy's thread . I'll throw out a last minute invite to throw a few fish on the BBQ.
Only day I have free is (this) Sunday, 5th April at Plympton. Midday to whenever?
It would be a a very casual "catch and cook" your own fish, BYO everything else affair.
Anyone keen ?

Keen as mustard...
Bugger about the distance
Sounds mighty fine idea

I might be able to pop in for 1 hour, 12-1