Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I have put a lot of time into getting a good BSF composter going. Now that it is doing good I had almost 100 in my collection bucket a few days ago so I decided it was time to start feeding some to the fish. They smacked the water like they always do at feeding time but abruptly stopped. After a half hour they were all still floating on the water so I removed them. I have done that at every feeding time fore 3 days and they will not eat them. Any suggestions!

Withhold feed for a day, and try again. Sometimes the fish are just accustomed to their "junk food" and don't recognize a good thing in front of them. In the beginning my bluegill wouldn't eat caterpillars, but now they can't wait for me to drop one in.

I have been trying the BSFL with no other food for the 3 days. So they have been without food now for the 3 days.

Fish can go much longer without food. I've withheld food for a couple weeks when necessary.

You can try weaning them onto them.

So throw the BSFL in with the normal feed, more pellets than BSFL to start with, and gradually add more BSFL and less pellets.

Let us know hoe you go. I was tempted to try it myself, but my murray cod are fussy buggers. Might be better when they get to a decent size.

The first day I mixed them and they left the BSFL. I guess I will work on the cold turkey method and hold other food longer. I caved in yesterday and fed regular food. They certainly did not think twice about eating that. Thanks for the advice I will keep you informed.

Follow what colum says. I did the same thing but the other way around when I first got my tilapia. All I had was BSF larvae at first and they loved them. But then I tried to get them on a normal feed and they wouldn't bite. So I started mixing the two and eventually weened them off the BSF.

Thanks Samuel;
I am curious as to why you moved away from the BSF? Here I am trying to get them on them. I have to admit that I seriously doubt that I will be able to only feed them. I am hoping for a mix.
Thanks

I moved away from them because the fat content is too high and if you feed them too much BSF then their livers will suffer the consequences. It is nice as a supplemental feed or snack, but not as a sole feed source. I still try to incorporate them into the feed regime, but the commercial feed I use gives me a more balanced nutrient profile for the plants.

Good to know !
Thanks