Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I seem to remember reading that I should feed Silver Perch 1% of their body weight per day. The search feature on this forum is *frack* so I'm not sure if I've remembered correctly.

Also, how much would a 80-100mm Silver Perch fingerling weigh? Is there a length v body mass graph? That would be very handy.

Maybe one with a "healthy weight range" like you see at the Doctors ... so I know if my fishies are too FAT or not! (Just kidding!)

They would weigh 5-7 g, check the download part to calculate daily feed rations and growth.
Feed them around 1-2.5 % per day depending on Temp and fish demand.
The ratio lowers with fish growth, start at around 2-2.5 % at max feeding rate and lower to 0.5-1% for the big fish.

Scottie, I was doing 3% when I got my fingerlings....SP are great as they don't over eat, so it is easy to regulate their feeding amount by tossing in a spoonful or two and see if it all gets devoured....see how much they can eat in 3 minutes and use that as a reference.

I just feed them small amounts in between pump cycles. If they finish it I give them more til they stop eating. Do this morning and night. Don't be too anal about feed as a percentage of body weight, give them what they will eat. Need to get the growth into them while the weather is still fine, they won't eat/grow much in winter!
I have had my new guys a little over a week and they have doubled in size. I have plenty of aeration and have never recorded nitrate so I just keep pumping it in til they stop feeding.

Mmmmmm, helpful advice. Thanks everyone.

very well said. couldn't agree more.

i feed based on how much they will take and how good a quality my water is. if water is starting to cloud i cut down feeding until it clears. onces its clear i increase feed until it again starts to cloud. the amount of detritus and nitrates in the water will determine this. this will depend on filtration and aeration.

i'm 99% sure most of my problems have been the result of over feeding and DO levels getting too low. in a mature system with decent filtration ammonia shouldn't be too much of a problem. i haven't had an ammonia test kit for months after my dog got to it. only had a problem when i over fed and lowered aeration. the extra feed sucked the DO out of the water.

Scottie, did anyone offer a length vs body mass graph for SP?

Amacafish, what do you mean by "download part"?

Adrian: check the download link under the BA banner, tiny blue characters

No, but I reckon if we get a dozen or so members to measure the length & mass of 1 or 2 of their SP, it would be easy to plot & fit the results & determine such a graph.

So people, post some data. All I need is the mass & length of a SP!

I'll check my books tonight when i'll be home and see if i have them somewhere.

Has anyone checked http://www.fishbase.org for silver perch infos?

Stress to the fish is the main reason I don't weigh and measure fish regularly - there are a few who have put up the fish dimensions after they have been harvested tho

the scientific name is Bidyanus bidyanus -here is the link
http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/Species ... p?id=12232