Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I have heard of ppl growing Black Bream in the AP systems. But have not read anything about dusky flathead. Has anyone thought about or actually tried flathead or any other estuary species. I'm assuming that a slightly salted system would keep dusky's no worries, but not sure about there growth rates or any problems like disease or weather they can be keep in AP or not. Any thoughts?

The limiting factor would be whether or not they would take a pellet feed Bundy...

Otherwise, it would require feeding shrimp, worms or something else... possibly costly, as well as time consuming...

I know Glen Searle has been experimenting with them in brackish ponds up around Grafton... but don't know if anyone has done them in RAS or AP... Freo Tafe might have done something...

You'd need live food sources such as Gambusia, young goldfish, worms, or some of those cool little east coast minnows that you guys have that are supposed to be easy to breed, Pacific Blue Eyes and some of the smelts.

Gambusia are probably the easiest/fastest to breed, but you guys ahve some pretty hefty fines over there just for having those little critters.

Just thought of another possible con and thats that flathead are very territorial creatures and also bottom huggers so not sure they'd like being confined to a 1m square space. like an IBC. Plus they WILL eat each other.