Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi, I'm a lecturer in Aquaculture at the WA Maritime Training Centre, here in Fremantle. We are a part of Challenger Tafe.

As part of our course students have to raise different fish species from eggs through to fingerling and then growout stages.
In February each year we do a Black Bream run and in October we do a Barramundi run.

Consequently I have a large number of Black Bream available of two different sizes. The first are fingerlings of about 5 cms and weighing 20 grams. These were spawned in February this year. These would also make attractive aquarium fish. The second size are much larger. These are around 250 grams and these were spawned about 18 months ago.
These would be very suitable for a aquaponics system.

As we have excess fish Challenger Tafe will sell the Black Bream to the public at very reasonable rates.

The Barramundi will be available in early February, 2009.

If you want to buy Black Bream then give me (Tony Bart) a ring on my mobile (0430514069) or ring our head technician, Dean Kennerly, during normal office hours on 92398062.

welcome Tony and thankyou. Will you be introducing aquaponics and the forum to your students ?

Hi, yes my Diploma students are helping to set up an aquaponics unit in East Fremantle for a local community. I've also helped set up a project at Karnet Prison and Kelmscott High school will have a set up later this year. I am incorporating more material into a unit looking at Sustainable Aquaculture. The interest in aquaponics has exploded recently

Excellent Tony, look forward to hearing of your adventures with the projects.

Welcome to the forum Tony, unfortunately I am a tad far to take up your offer on the fish but look forward to any input on the aquaponics level from you in the future

Joel has a sub section devoted to school and our lovely Faye also does work at a TAFE in Perth - love to see pics of the TAFE
setup if it doesn't contravene any of the training centre rules

How much for the black bream Tony? Looks like they have a good temp range

The barra will be too late in the season for pretty much all of us - only leaves 2 1/2 months to growout before winter.

Anyone got any ideas on what would be the better fish, Bream or Perch?

I phoned him outback, about $ 4 a piece for the black bream, 900 in stock, and about a dollar a piece for the barra. Interesting guy

http://www.cffr.murdoch.edu.au/frdc/FRDC_1999-320_final_black_bream.pdf

Excellent Data

That for the 250 gramm fish?

Yes the Black Bream are around 250 grams. As we have excess for our needs we will sell them for $4.00 each. At the moment they are in salt water so when we get an order it will take a few days to change them over to fresh water. If you want any give Dean or myself a few days notice and our students will have them ready for you.

regarding the question which would be better Silver Perch or Black Bream then the Perch would be the better option as they will grow faster. However in the abscence of Silver Perch the Bream are a hardy species, able to tolerate a wide temperature range from 8 - 30 C with the optimum range being around 24C.

Hi Tony

Are the high salinity requirements only needed for breeding and do you know how low, in terms of salinity, they can go?

its in the pdf sleepe

So whats the answer OBO? Compare page 1 to 66 and remember salt levels are significant in AP.

They go from zero salinity up to 60 ppt, a certain level of salt is required to breed.

Where's it say that? Got the >10ppt for breeding but more interest in growth and survival rates.