Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I have not purchaced a BSLF because I heard that the soldier flys dont like colder weather, living in Sydney our weather is all topsy turvy at the moment but it is predominatly cooler on the east coast of Aus. Apart from worms does any one know of any other live fish food for jade perch???

If it's too cold for BSFL... then it's too cold for Jades....

They get BSFL down in Vic.... and we get them down around Gerringong... so Sydney should be OK....

Winter they're a bit sparse....

Jades are happily vegetarian... and will chomp into duckweed, lettuce and spinach leaves etc...

But I think you're going to be pushing it to get Jade Perch through down this far south... unless you have them already... at about 100mm.... and we get a mild autumn/winter... or you're prepared to heat...

Jades already ordered, I have insolation around the 1000 lt fish tank. If the Jades dont work out, Ill try some thing else.

I read that yopu had ordered the Jades, and were expecting them in a couple of weeks...

That makes it mid December... and they'll arrive about 25mm in size... only leaves you until end of April (at best) to get any growth into them...

Luckily I think this summer is going to be above average.. and a good growing season...

The question is though... what is winter going to be like... and will still smallish Jade Perch survive...

I had BSFL under my compost heap when I moved it the other day, you shouldn't need to buy them. If you want to ensure you get a BSFL system up and running quickly, then you can contact the guys on blacksoldierflyfarming.com and they should be able to give you some if you drive to get them.

To give an idea Rupe. My air temps get as low as 1 degree over night during winter. My tank didn't go much below 15-12 degrees this winter.

I tend to think if you have them you are lucky but not sure if they will do any good in your area if you get them delivered. I may be wrong and would be interested to know if others who have bought them ,have they stayed in your area?. I sent a heap up to northern suburb a few years ago but got a request the next year for some more.I was a bit worried this year as I usually have plenty by now but has been very quiet since about september when i moved their home . Today I have spotted the flies back again

Like any organism, they may be known to exist in an area, but may be abundant in some locations, while less so in others. Same goes for thinks like bees, frog, birds, native animals etc.

You can try to attract and sustain a population by setting up and environment properly, however, it might take some time for them to come. Another approach would be to get them shipped in and also maintain a habitat for them.

So I think you are both core t and incorrect. You can certainly move BSFL into a local area of low population, but they won necessarily stick around I. Following years unless you have set up an attractive home for them.

Jades might barely hang in there at 15.... stressed to the max, and near dead.... at 12.... well the only reason they might float upright... is if you nailled them to something....

Sorry about the spelling in previous post...iPhone autocorrect!

I would say that budgie's temp will be slightly higher than mine, but definitely the potential to go that low. I am only a few Kms from Richmond, which always gets the record highs and lows for Sydney.....I'm not sure why.

Definitely back in my backyard and hanging around for me to get new home going for them. YAY! The heat may have got them going. I know they dont like the cool weather and it has been out of the ordinary. Hopefully they are back to stay and breed. Cardboard and flywire is ready for them.