Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I know you have been waiting on pins and needles for this HOT new product...LOL...Today I made the first batch of Crabby Patties. I have two Largemouth Bass, and five mixed size Bluegills which will be the lucky fish to try them out. My goal was to have minimal investment (other than a VERY smelly kitchen) but highly nutritious. Ingredients are:

2 cups water
2 medium sized Bluegill (fresh caught)
1 can of Atlantic Mackeral (on sale for $1.25)
3 cups of various grains (corn, oats, etc)
2 lbs high growth commercial pellets.

1) Liquify the Bluegill and Mackeral
2) Mix all ingrediants in a large bowl, and stir until well mixed.
3) Spoon into 9X9" cake pans (I bought tin ones from store).
4) layer patty material to 1/2 depth of pan (lined with wax paper).
5) With a spatula, crease the layer into 9 equal segments (like cuting a pizza)
6) lay out another layer of wax paper, then add another layer of patty material, and crease with spatula.
7) cover pan with tin foil, and freeze immediately.

My batch made three pans, each with two layers for a total of 54 patties. I do not yet know how long this will last, but will keep you up to date. Ingredients we identified through reading and through the ingrediants to the the commercial pellets.

Total cost for batch was appx $10. I am hoping that it will equal 3-4 weeks for my test group of fish.


Future thoughts

When I can find some fish oil, I will not need the Mackeral, but will just double the fresh fish amount. Old timers in the area tell me that Bluegill love Cornmeal, like heroin, so I might try that. Also thought of adding dried bacon bits for additional fat. Also thought about adding chopped pieces of nightcrawlers pushed into each patty for desert! I will let you know how it works out.

Sounds interesting. I wonder if excess chicken eggs (in season) might work as well.

Good thought, I will add them to the future ideas, and try them out.

Crabby Patties are ready to go. Took them out of the pans, broke them into the square, and put them in 1 gallon frezer bags. I only feed one patty, shared by both tanks. broke up the Bluegill half into smaller chunks (more fish) and gave the Bass chunks about the size of a marble. They are still afraid of me, running to hide when I walk up to the tank. I will check in the morning to see if they ate the patties. Oh, and the barn cats LOOOOVVEEE the pieces that dropped on the floor.