Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

What fish are recommended for cold water applications (i.e. Melbourne)?

Ideally I'd be after something that did NOT require heating, was relatively inexpensive, breeds well but would not eat floating water plants.

Am I asking too much?

Not really interested in Mossie Fish due to their invasive nature.
Goldfish I believe will eat the plants?
Guppies and Swords need warmer water?

Any suggestions appreciated.

Aaron.

Can you get White Clouds or Danios? White Clouds breed easily, don't bother plants and can handle the kind of cold you're talking about.

goldfish won't eat much of most plants unless you starve them. My goldfish waste duckweed.

Wouldn't you want a feeder fish that would eat plants?

A herbivore or omnivore would be much easier to feed than a carnivore.

Species I've considered but I'm still researching are red fin (carnivore), yabbies and guppies (omnivores). While the yabbies and guppies prefer warmer temps in a glass house I'm hoping that they'll get them. Still got a lot of work to do in this area though.

Currently I'm puting my BSF research into practice.

Good point Stuart.... Hadn’t thought that far ahead and only included part of my thinking in my original post. Should have said:

1. Want some mosquito larvae control for the tubs as they are close to the house.
2. Want something that will not ravage the plants.
3. Something that will add some nutrients for the plants.
4. Something that could potentially be used as a feeder.

The Danios and Minnows that EM mentioned look to be an option.

I also have access to plenty Yabbies.

What about freshwater shrimp?

Stu, I live in Geelong and am picking up some silvers from Kangaroo Ground Fish Farm, Satdy.
They are keeping them at 20C and Glynis said today they should handle 16-17C no worries. My water is currently 16C.
I want mine to put on a bit o beef over winter so have got a couple those fish tank heater wand thingys to try and get a 20C temp consistently. I know you don't want to buy heaters etc, but hey look at how much our friends in the States spend keeping fish alive during heavy snow winters!!
The heater wands are $37.50 per one that does 300lts.
Like many others, lotta expensive salads in my house next few months!

The more I'm learning about green houses the more I think there are a lot of species that I could get away with over winter. There might be some times when stuff dosn't grow much but even some of the warm water species might survive over winter in a good greenhouse. Red claw in particular is looking attractive.

No doubt Stu.

I run a heater in my glasshouse and the winter temp never gets below 15C. Its not the cheapest thing to run, but is essential for the plants (Nepenthes). Just a shame is has neither any room, or enough light, for the ponds.

Aaron.

I would say get silvers. Added bonus of being able to eat them down the track. Mine are at 16, no heating, feeding once every coupla days as they want it. When they come looking, I feed as much as they will eat. I noticed them drop off at about 18 degs, but as the time goes on, they seem to be getting used to it and starting to feed more often

my Bronze comets are doing ok

AJ
Can you give us details of your greenhouse/pics? Do you have any insulation?

monya, will be starting with Silvers when the AP system is up and running, but I don't have a timeline for that, so they're not what I want right now.

The tubs I got will be stand alone 60L with only the floating water plants. They're not AP setups at this stage.

bk, any experience how the Bronze Comets go with floating water plants?

Aaron.

I am in Uk. In cumbria and was wondering about trout!

trout 4 u sounds gr8 ramblinrose, welcome.

no sorry, I WAS going to say that they might leave em alone if they are well fed and I thought my fish wouldnt be hungry after feeding them tonight so i put some duckweed in....is all gone now lol

Id go to your local aquarium shop and either ask or see what plants they run in the tanks with the comets.

We have local trout farms in the lakes but i expect i would need a large tank. where do i look for space and food requirements for dif species?