Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

What would be the best fish for a AP system in terms of return on investment (Money/Time/Taste)? Edit im in syd

Cost of fish + cost of feeding / how long it takes to get to eating stage / taste

It would have to be a winter crop of Trout, followed by a summer crop of Barra.


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it will depend on your climate, location, fish availability, fish legality, personal taste in fish, sources for fish feed, etc.

I've decided that Channel Catfish are perfect for where I am.

Trout, Barramundi and Jade Perch.... probably in that order...

But Trout approach there upper temperature limits during summer.... and Barramundi their lower limits...

Jade Perch theoretically should also be at their lower limits ... but I've seen evidence that they'll survive, unheated, through winter around the Gosford/Wyong area...

All three species have FCR values (feed conversion ratios) of about 1:2 - 1....

i.e ... for every 1.2kg of feed... you'll get 1kg of growth...

In terms of ROI.... in an aquaponics system.... then you need to factor in plant yields, labour, enjoyment etc...

How much does trout and barramundi fingerlings go for? Also how much is their food?

Depends on numbers purchased, size, availability etc...

Generally about $1.65-$3/100... for anything over 60-80mm... new season stock 10-30mm.... from $1-$2... depending whether you pick them up or they're delivered... and excluding boxing/bagging charges...

Feed.... again usually based on quantity... but ranges from $60-$90/bag...

Straight ROI? Maybe Koi, if you get licensed to sell 'em (not eat 'em).
The $100 fishes I saw at the Water Garden place, I just know I could grow some of those with my AP system.

But I'm doing Channel Catfish, we love to eat them grilled, head, tail and all!

Rick

This depends so much on so many factors. If you are after purely monetary return on fish your best off looking for an ornamental species of some sort, perhaps koi or some other fresh water species in good demand.

I am looking in terms of return things such as eat-ability / fish/feed costs till you can eat it / time taken to reach maturity.

Taking into various factors what would be a good fish to have in a AP system

You can add to that...

Silver Perch, Tandanus Catfish and Murray Cod... but they're all an 18-24 month growout...

Hi RupertofOZ,

Mate can i ask is there any fish that can grow year round without needing a green house of sorts? So a fish that can survive 10-35 degrees (wishful thinking i know). I will be moving to riverwood (south west sydney) so am wondering if i can have something in there full time

Also with the feed you said $60-$90 how many kilos is that?

Silver perch and Murray cod will grow all year round in Syd and with a little care in regards to tank placement and operation Trout and Barramundi are not out of the question for year round stocking

YellowBelly/Callop/Golden Perch would have to be another contender for the Sydney year-round question wouldn't they ?

And Australian Bass ?

Is there any good websites that shows a spreadsheet of native australian fish with how long they take to mature / min-max degrees to survive?

Hi Zman,

there may be such a spreedsheet but there are so many variables, genetics, location/temp, system water quality, food quality, amount of food given, how many times fed a day and others

You can have a fish that is two years old and it may be 300mm long and weigh 700gms. You can also have a two year old fish grown in the same tank that is 100mm long and weighs 200gms.

Checkout this link http://www.fishvictoria.com/member-foru ... Fish/40634

Some things just have to be experienced to learn about.

God bless, froggo.