Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I have a choice of larger or smaller fingerlings of Bluegills and Channel Cats. Which are more likely to survive, the little guys or the bigger ones?

Bluegills small size 1-3 inches (2.5 - 8 cm) , large size 3- 4 inches (8- 10 cm)

Channel Cats small 4- 6 inches (10 - 14 cm), large 6 - 8 inches (14 -20 cm)

Thanks!

fish growth as I have been led to believe is exponential. Like compound interest. This means always go for the bigger fish as you will get them further up the curve and stand a better chance of growing them to a decent size. Just what I would do...

I would always reccomend purchasing as large a stock as you can afford. As long as it is safe weather to do so (hot/cold) I am not familiar with those fish however. Also make sure you remain inside your filtration figures. No point purchasing 50 200g fish if your system will only cope with 25 plate size fish.
your system may cope with 50 x 50g fish but with a few losses and the odd harvest you might end up with 25 plate size fish eventually.
I have not looked at your system so just putting in my 2c worth. your system might cope with 300x300g+ for all I know.

i got smaller fish because it was cheaper..

just be sure if you mix sizes, that the cat fish are not a lot bigger than the bluegill... or you may be a few fish short in no time

Thanks!

The species will be in separate tanks.

The price difference doesn't seem significant so I reckon I'll get the bigger babies.