Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hello, Im putting together plans for my first set up. I need advice on which type of fish to get started with. Im starting very small, testing the idea, and would like a robust species to alleviate some of the pressure of not having a perfect system right away. I live in Colorado. Also, where in the hell do I buy freshwater fingerling fish? haha a question I never thought Id ask, but I have no idea. Any other Colorado specific information would be very helpful. We do not have year round sun, and winter can be brutally cold. Thanks in advance.

leo

I went with catfish from a local pond for the first year. Had to get a live fish transport permit. Winters are going to be tough unless you have it indoors. I have to assume it would be cost prohibitive to heat a greenhouse in the winter. I am in idaho and we get a bit of cold as well. My plan is to put a small system in the garage to keep bacteria going over the winter and do some starters earlier in the spring. Next year I will do cats and tilapia.

Cats winter in our ponds and the bullhead are very hardy. I did lose a couple to nitrite poisoning though.

As for fish, you can order online but shipping sucks. Unless you have a local producer that grows what you want.

Yellow perch would be a good choice. Bluegill and other sunfish would probably do well provided they can be feed trained. Not a problem with Bluegill but more so with Crappie. Catfish probably would work well as mentioned but INHO not as durable as bluegill. You will have to keep the water above freezing regardless.

http://www.lileyfisheries.com/

http://www.eandjfishfarm.com/

Never thought about yellow perch. They are supposed to be some good eating.

Can't transport them live out where I am (same with Brown trout which can take slightly higher temps), otherwise I'd be raising them. I think the state is concerned about them competing with the existing trout fishery. We actually have lots of lakes that have yellow perch already. Our weather is about right for the yellow perch temperature requirements and still a bit too warm for trout in the Summer (when your just running small systems like most people do).

Anything native to ponds, lakes and rivers in your area would probably be a good choice.

Provided they are feed trained of course. Probably dont want to start out with a feed training project.

+1

I have pond raised tilapia in my tank now and they won't feed unless I leave the room or hide so they can't see me (4 months we've had them) Plus it took forever just to get them on pellets

I bet if you crowd your tilapia it will help with feed aggression. It seemed to be the magic ingredient to feed training my crappie. Whole thread is in my signature.

Yellow pirch is nice choice...