Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I found this while doing some www surfing earlier and was wondering if anyone has tried it out at all?

Feeding lupins to fish :
A review of the nutritional and biological value of lupins in aquaculture feeds

http://www.fish.wa.gov.au/docs/op/op031/index.php?0308

It is pdf format and is 126 pages long, but from the quick scan through that I have managed so far, I am wondering if Lupins may not be a very viable plant stock for the BYAP system.

Sure some people grow it as a green manure crop. Not sure how it goes as fish food. Would think they may need soaking first if they expand or ground up might be easier.

I haven't had time to read all the details yet, but post anything relevant after I do

Think they need to be "dehulled"...

This mob does it in Wa... http://www.cbh.com.au/ContMan.nsf/All/3 ... enDocument

And these guys can supply as well I think.. http://www.riverina.com.au/website/inde ... how=Lupins

Commercial fish feeds are carefully balanced... particularly in relation to the types of amino acids in the protein makeup...

There is a "limiting" factor... an amino acid "block" that determines/limits the optimum nutritional value and uptake for a species... Lysine in particular

Studies on Lupins as feed for Tilapia ..... most if not all gave bad drop in growth rates ...

The WA Lupin in particular that looked like it might be ok in very small quanties ...

Have you tried it at all there RupertofOZ?

Have you any idea as to why the WA strain was better than the others?

there has been discussion on lupins before, maybe try the search?

Marron and Yabbies love Lupins, but they only eat them when sprouted, they are said to aid in reproduction, they do in sheep anyhow, sheep fed on lupins or lupin stubble have more twins and triplets, but some lupins are poisonous and if they aren't eaten entirely will contaminate the water

Lupins are a good source of cheap protein but they need supplementation with cereal based proteins to boost levels of sulphur containing amino acids like methionine. If you are freidnly with a Wheatbelt farmer, you could buy lupins for around 40c a kg. There is plenty of incentive to work out home made fish food solutions utilising the abundant cheap grains available from grain farmers (like me).

You could incorporate flaxseed meal for some of the essential omega 3s. Good luck