Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I was wondering if anyone has thought about or grew any other Cichlids for eating. I had just come across Mayan Snapper (Urophthalmus) being sold for aquaculture. I also understand that various Pacu species are being raised in fish farms.'

Any experience or thoughts.

I have been thinking about the same thing, but for me over here it will take a lot of resurch to find a species that might work out ok. I was thinking about Tamenzies but haven't seen any for sale in the pet shops latley.

I will be watching this thread.

peacock bass, jaguar cichlid, giant gourami, and kissing gourami. Some fishes known to be eaten in other cultures.

I a kissing gourami right now in a tank. He's pretty peaceful but from what I understand they can be pretty aggressive towards one another, may not be the best for AP.

Actually not too bad. They display to each other and wrestle by locking lips but I've never seen them actually damage each other before. At least not like cichlids or anything.

they have a peacock bass at a petshop near me but its not for sale they did have some small ones but they went in no time, man i would love to get some of those, they look awsom and grow big.

You could also try;

Texas Cichlids - Herichthys cyanoguttatus
http://www.aquatic-hobbyist.com/profiles/freshwater/cichlids/texas.html

Cuban Cichlids - Nandopsis Tetracanthus
http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/cichlid/cuban.php

Midas Cichlids - Amphilophus citrinellum
http://www.aquatic-hobbyist.com/profiles/freshwater/cichlids/midas.html

Would you eat these or just for ornamental purposes?

I guess that would depend on the circumstances or what you are use to.
The Cyphotilapia Frontosa is another that is regularly consumed by the natives in close proximity to Lake Tanganyika, Rift Valley, Africa.

I also believe I recall Ad Konning stating the the Emperor Cichlid is also consumed by the natives. This is the largest of all the Cichlid species with an adult length of approximately a metre.

There is also Tilapia buttikoferi, and the Speckled Pike Cichlid, to name a couple more

I would love to get some Tilapia Buttikoferi, but i haven't heard of any over here in many years.

Yer I have only seen the one in a LFS in Sydney, apparently they can be a real peice of nasty work

Anyone know of a source for pacu fingerlings in the us?

Dan,
The only fingerling source is in Arizona and Florida and they both only sell in volume and it is still expensive. Like $3.++ each or more. The guy in Arizona wanted to sell a minimum of 500 fish at over $2.00 apiece... I said thanks and good bye. The guy in Forida wants you to have a license for ornamental resale. The next closest is the guy in Puerto Rico, and he is a nice guy to work with. The issue is shipping. I am considering a trip down there in June to his breeding class, where we could come home with thousands of them for .05 each. that's a better deal. Then we also know how to breed them. I believe it is very much like the classes that Rupe went to. Maybe Rupe wants to come over here and teach us on some Pacu.

What do you think Rupe? Free room and board and lots of good cooking (AP food of course).

Mathew

Put up the airfare as well Mathew.... and I'm there....

If you can get down to the hatchery class... do it Mathew..... there's just no better way to learn.... than to see it done... and do it yourself...