Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi all, as im still fairly new to AP, i need a little help in deciding which fish to use.

First off, im in Perth, so anyone that can give advice on the best fish to hold in this climate annually would be appreciated.
Im hoping barra and trout will be ok.
The challenge is im trying to keep costs down, and hopefully dont plan on using heaters in the system.
Barra and trout are my first picks off my head, only because i know they both taste great on the plate.
But im open to the best suggestions.

Im also looking at breeding to restock, which species is best for this method? Im no aquaculture technician so dont plan on breeding through scientific means. So are there any that can be bred naturally (given the right conditions).

Looking at yabbies in the future.

Any places to look/buy up north perth???

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Hi battzNZ and welcome to the forum

Have you got a system running yet - we love pics.

We are entering into trout season as the temps are decreasing and they are a great species to have during winter, fast growing and tasty. They do need extra care though as they are need well oxygenated water. Most west ozzies get them around april and harvest around september/october depending on your location and temps. They cant handle much more than 22 deg.

Barra are the prize summer fish in WA but need warmer water to grow and live well, due to the short summer we often need to buy yearlings to get them to plate size by the end of summer.

Both the above mentioned species will eat any fish small enough that will fit in their mouths so its not recommended to mix species with them.

Most of us in WA have silver perch - they are a warmer water fish but do have a larger spectrum of grow temp and just become dormant during the winter months. They are slow growing compared to the other 2 species.



This does require some extensive knowledge.



There is a number of places to purchase fish. A couple off the top of my head are Challenge Tafe, Ferguson springs and golden ponds.

You will need to apply for translocation approval first.

good luck

Thanks for the welcome , I am only just starting so am slowly starting to collect.........a bit more research,parts,designs,and elbow grease before I start taking some pics



Great to hear, Rainbow trout are a prized fresh water catch in New Zealand, you need a license to go fresh water fishing, and even a word with the dept. of conservation if you want to attempt to try and keep them.

Just wondering if anyone has tried using one of THESE before??? I guess it would only work best in a water line that supplies water from the sump to the FT in a CHIFT PIST system.
You mention that they need well oxygenated water, I used this in my aquarium to pump CO2 into the water.

NB: fish-street.com are an excellent source for aquarium supplies at cheap prices too. No doubt we can find some of the stuff usefull in Aquaponics

I am looking forward to the Barra too





I know no two species are the same, however I have kept and bred a number of FW fish, breeding isnt a new subject to me, and i am guessing that most of the fish held in aquaponics are Anadromous.
Just wondering if there are any that naturally breed in the conditions of most aquaponics system or perhaps in a controlled separate aquarium???
Ive heard of the injections that are used in aquaculture to bring on the laying of the eggs etc.
Dont really want to travel down that path though.



I found one place up my way that stocks fish (and supplies), but not as cheap as Ferg. Springs.....so thanks for the heads up

John