Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

In a perfect world, I'd have a system that can sustain a small school of arctic char. I've already checked Colorado regs, and they don't ban the species.

Couple of problems, though. I don't know how big a school of these fish are, or how large a tank I'd need to sustain them. I've also heard that they do best with a little salt in their water. Would running fresh bother them unduly?

Never seen an Arctic Charr but from what I have read there are two strains, one which goes to Sea and one which remains in freshwater so keeping them in fresh shouldnt be a problem. They also get a good write up as a aquaculture species being quick growing, hardy and with nice red flesh.

Google Artic Char and Grayling, both have similar needs, you have sources of Grayling there in CO, and there are also some in MT. You might also want to look at Cutthroat Trout, half dozen subspecies of them including some also there in CO.

Why were you looking at the Char over the others? Rearing and spawning techniques are similar as for other salmonids. If just for a production fish then Rainbow Trout or Atlantic Salmon.

For a small learning system a 300 gal rubbermaid for 6-8 fingerlings and a lot of aeration/filtration. The Bardach Aquaculture book from Wiley Science can be obtained through Amazon.com . Also google Salmonid Aquaculture for info on them, also look into the MT DNR, they may have done more work with these species then any other state, possibly excepting WA or AK. Check them too.

Myself I am drawn to the Cutthroats, beautiful and a real need for conservation work, spawn as with Rainbows or Brown and Brook Trout.