Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi folk.

We have a class 2 endangered species in New Zealand called the Giant Kokopu.

NZ'ers may have seen Charles Mitchell, the scientist whitebait farmer on Country Calendar a couple of weeks back. I've two days ago had the priviledge of meeting this man and talking NZ fish. Charles has also successfully bred Giant Kokopu for several years.

They are big, beautiful, edible fish (did I mention endangered)

There are many problems with keeping these fish in captivity.

Giant Kokopu will not spawn in tanks, they spawn in the pond system linked to the tides that Charles has made. If they do not spawn they become eggbound and die.

Due to the lack of interest shown from the Government there isn't the facility or resources to take things to another level, mass production...

But these fish, as he told me, need humans help to survive.

He has a great idea in which I will most willingly participate.

I plan to find people in NZ willing to 'adopt' a giant kokopu and transport them to and from Charles farm in spawning season.

Here's some things to consider first if wanting to adopt..

These fish are highly territorial and so can only be stocked as individuals.

These fish are carnivores and require high quality feed.

Other species will get eaten, so one Giant Kokopu and some other fish is not an option.

These fish require a black tank to do well. In nature they are nocturnal and live in dark places during the day. Once I have worked out how to put a porthole on a black barrel you will be able to view your giant kokopu...

Temperatures must remain cool, and so a cooler may be required in the system making it an expensive set up.

If you wish to have the same fish year in year out, you will also need to microchip it.

Once things are designed and agreed upon, I wish to find 'adoptees'. They will purchase afore mentioned custom Kokopu tank, and have permanent 'loan' (but obliged to return for spawning) of a Giant Kokopu that comes with the tank.

More information will come as things progress.

What do the schoolteachers here think of this as an educational model.

A specialised environment housing an endangered species as part of a DIY breeding programme to save it.

Plus Aquaponics, with a 'filter' of native plants.

ps. f anyone has an idea for mounting a porthole in a barrel, please share.

Here's one here

They're a ripper lookin fish, but it seems like you may face an uphill battle based purely on logistics. Best of luck though

Sorry i can't help, but i hope their status doesn't go past endangered

No worries Daniel. If this model, namely a "Do It Yourself" conservation programme, works, it will give some good guidelines to help save endangered species in other climates. Custom tanks may be different etc, but many details of organisation and methodology should be ironed out by then including how to market and implement the concept.

I think schools are a definate target to put these systems in.

Teachers opinions?....

Wow pretty fish, but it sounds demanding to keep, aside from it pysical requirements, what is needed in terms of regulation and permitting to keep one of these onsite?

Once I have the system built, it will require water top ups and feeding, plus courier the fish to spawn anually. During spawning your tank will need nutrient added to keep it cycling.

And that's it!

The legalities are a nightmare, so you'll not own these fish, you'll borrow them, and be obliged to return them for spawning. Am looking into including courier fees into the original price. And courier tank etc included with product. Also included in price will be microchipping, for those wanting the same fish returned each year.

I hope to get corporate sponsorship to subsidise the prices for school systems, fingers crossed.

An experienced DIY Aquaponics person may well be sent designs via mail should they choose to help

Wow, that's a really nice looking fish. Shame about the barrier that their requirements pose for people... good luck with it, be a real shame to lose that species.

(Kokopu. Frikken cool name. I want to call my cat that. )

ah! - the kokopu cat Kat :cat:

ROTFL! I love it! Nice one EKB!

Hey i know this is an old discussion but im in nelson and im realy interested in keeping a giant kokopu. I have been planning a 600 litre indoor pond made from polythene and insulated in my cool temp garage i have also perchased a 1000 litre halea chiller. I was going to catch one from the wild but read about them becoming eggbound if they dont spawn which put me off. Can they be sexed easily? Im realy keen on somehow helping these fish and are experienced with keeping cold water fish and amphibians. Where are you located? Any help would be awesome