Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

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Well I did not know that Silver Perch would actually survive at 4C, because that is what the dams at Kempsey (NSW) got down to over this winter. And there i was thinking they would be gonners ..

The result is that there are lots of SP available now for early stocking on the EAST COAST..
and at 11C in Sydney, they would likey feel they are in the tropics.. Just a shame that they won't really start eating until more like 15C.. but they DO eat, or they would not have survived so far this winter.. those that did not eat are dead..
these survivors learnt to eat something..

An interesting side fact is that "over-wintered" fingerlings are said to actually grow better than a spring spawned lot..
I am guessing that it's a case survival of the fittest and the fittest will really go for it when that temperature rises just a bit more..

http://www.piperscreekhatchery.com.au

If you are after any Silvers, they are available NOW, from Alan and Debbie at Pipers Creek Hatchery at Kundabung. Phone/SMS. ------- 0417 060 619. . Such nice folk to deal with.. and they can use a hand..
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PS.. the ones that I got and that went into my new and uncycled system. Are generally doing well..
The ammonia is a deal higher than anyone would like an whilst I have had a few deaths.. the remainder are doing well..
Very pleased..
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Silver perch have a temperature tolerance range of 2 to 38°C with optimum growth occurring between 23 and 28°C. During winter when water temperatures are lower, silver perch will require less food and have a slower growth rate. (http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/aqu ... emperature)

And I am learning fast that the temperature not only limits the FISH, but also the bacteria, and hence your nitrogen levels..
With this East-Coast cold snap, the nitrites have gone to near zero's whilst the Ammonia has really spiked..

Indeed,, that DPI pub. Is a good source of info on silvers..

Interestingly, I understand that a deal of data for the paper, came from the same fish hatchery..
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With Silver Perch having that great tolerance on water temperatures would they be the more preferred fish in Aquaponics due to that?

Dubi they are preferred down south for growing through both summer & winter, their only drawback is the time they take too reach maturity and get to a decent size

What about Tandanus as a AP species, although I am not 100% sure but your catfish don't look like Tandanus unless they just really well fed???

Rusty they are definitely Tandanus Catfish and they do eat well, they taught the Silver Perch how to surface feed.

They will almost hand feed and when I throw worms in they'll take what they need first and the Silver's get what's left.

They'll eat more than the Silver's during the colder weather and handle the warmer temperatures very well also. The water temperature here varies from 3.0c to 28.0c so they are an ideal fish for AP.

I'm a silver convert...

I love my Silvers. In the cold winter mornings they are so slow, and take for ever to come up and have a nibble, but once the water warms up in the arvo, they are smashing the feed. I have to put a fair bit in now so that the smaller fish get a feed.

Talking about Silvers..

Do you guys on the east coast know how easy it is to source your SP direct..

The cost is VERY impressive, with a cost of typically 1 and 2 dollars for good sized fish, and then just $25 a box for delivery from Kempsey..

As a generalisation, they can.get.about 150 by $1 fish in a shipment..

If you want to - give it a go.. lovely people to deal with..

http://www.piperscreekhatchery.com.au
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Oh man... My expansion can't happen quickly enough dammit! Thanks for throwing the info up, I might take a look after Xmas when I have my new fish tank and extra grow beds OH YEA!