Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

My Bream are doing fine. Eating ok although slowing down a bit and no fatalities. But then mine are in the garage so the lowest water temp so far this winter has been 15 degress C.

I've had them for nearly four months now and I can't notice any growth. A few friends have commented that they look a little bigger though. I'll have to pull the biggest one out once a month and weigh him to see if there is any weight increase but he's gonna be a real bitch to catch!

Didn't Joel in his first book and CD set describe Black bream as extremely slow growing and not worth doing?

Yep... and trials at NatFish with Silver Bream (yellow-tailed) gave good results in terms of FCR, ability to take a pellet, ability to spawn through hormone injection and marketability... making them a potential aquaculture species...

But at least a two to three year grow out... I posted some info in the NatFish thread about the results of the trial... and photos of a drain sampling of about 300 x 1kg+ fish...

2-3 years ,, NAHH I'm a very impatient person n case you haven't noticed:)
I love the taste of bream ,, but I won't choose a fish that takes more than 10 months from fingerling ,, yep another of my weaknesses ,,patience.

Don't bother with Golden Perch or Australian Bass then either Chappo...

And Silver Perch and Murray Cod are at least an 18 month grow out south of mid north coast...

At 20 C minimum (supplemental heating at night),, what grows fast?? I am sus on silvers ,, too many deseases ,, but you know a lot more than me

Probably pretty much the same Chappo.. haven't tried Murray Cod yet...

As long as you maintain good water quality... and temperature, Silver Perch aren't any more prone to disease than any other species...

They are definitely more finicky than other species... in terms of handling them though...

I spoke to one of your Australian gov. offices..... probably over a year ago, about the requirements to get certain fish shipped over to the USA. I had been asking about Silver Perch, but he strongly recommended Jade Perch, saying that they were far more resilient, and grew much faster, not to mention that they were by far the highest in Omega 3's (which was at the time my primary interest). SO, what about Jades?

I believe that the Blue Gill is the same family as the Bream you speak of, and they are slow growing as well, however the hybrids are pretty fair... a pound a year. Still they were so much slower than some of the others, I just make sure I have some mixed into one of my tanks.... they are better eating than the rest.

I definately agree about Jades .......... problem is in my State NSW they are listed as not allowed:(

Chappo,

Does that mean it's impossible to Jades down here? Or do you just keep quiet about having them?

I have seen Jades for sale in NSW,.......... I'll need to check the Reg's to see if it just makes it very difficult bringing them into the State or if possession without "import permit" is illegal.
You can bring them in , but i took one look at the form to be filled and though NUHHHHH.

Here's the list
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/hab ... xious-fish

Not impossible to get them into NSW... but...

You need a translocation permit... and evidence that they are disease free..

Most hatcheries are certified, or can provide certification that stock is "disease free"

To get the permit, you must satisfy the "risk assessment"... which is basically an assessment of whether the stock could escape to waterways...

RAS systems, including aquaponics, can satisfy this criteria... usually by demonstrating that a "bund" surrounding the facility capable of retaining the volume of water within the system... and preventing water ingress ... ie... flooding..

Stock breed within NSW will also satisfy these requirements...as they already witihin NSW, as long as the hatchery is certified as disease free... then theoretically you can get fingerlings from them without the need for a translocation permit... ie.. you can get Barramundi from Taylor Made in Port Stephens...

Theoretically... you still need to satisfy the risk assessment process...

And theoretically, no interstate hatchery is supposed to supply stock without meeting these requirements... but will sometimes do so on the basis that it is your responsibility to arrange and comply with any NSW permits etc...


I do know of someone that is and has been growing Jade Perch all year round, around the Newcastle area... albeit with heating..

Tghey ask a LOT more than risk assessment and the desease thing is not the issue for Jades.
It is also a criminal offense to get fish from someone else that got them illegally,,,

Heres the form anyway ,, LOVE the red notes at the bottom. Seems over the top.

http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets ... e-fish.pdf

If they just wanted me to say ..... NO fresh water withing 5 km of my house and fish will be in tanks and only being eaten b y myself and family trhen I would have no problems.I just don't like the look of the form ,, but I really do want Jades, so perhaps the fingerling supplier from QLD can help with some of the info.