Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Does anyone know where i can get estuary perch fingerlings? Apparently the fella in wartook is out of business now and i cant seem to find anywhere that breeds them.
Also is anyone growing estuary perch at the moment in an aquaponics system and if so could you please share some info etc. IE : how your finding them, growth rates, mortality, feeding, water temps etc. Any heating and/or cooling methods your using, where are you located etc.

FYI im in melbourne but will be moving to venus bay soon.

Thanks in advance.

Did some googling and found a hatchery in Narooma that has Estuary Perch fingerlings available.


I sent them an email ( below is email )

Hi guy's, I am interested in purchasing some estuary perch fingerlings for my aquaponics system. I have read your minmum order quantity of 100 fingerlings. I have also read your FAQ and see that you no longer freight, I live in Melbourne and was wondering if I could perhaps drive up and collect them and drive back with them, just wondering how long it will take to get to you guy's and where exactly is the petrol station that you talk about for picking them up etc?



There may be some other people on the forum interested in getting some too so I will post your information on the board so people can order them also.



Are the fingerlings available all year round?

Are they any cheaper if ordered by the thousands?

Do they come weened on pellets?

Do you know of anyone else growing them in aquaponics systems?



I hope to hear from you soon.



Thanks in advance for your time.



Kind regards

Here is their link
http://www.narooma-aquaculture.com.au/Products.htm

Got a reply from the hatchery ( see below )

we have just sold out of estuary perch and the next lot should be available in December
they are not weaned onto pallets
I haven't heard of anyone else growing them in a aquaponics system
regards Bruce

Narooma Aquaculture Pty Ltd
P O Box 417
Narooma NSW 2546
Ph 02 44762840
Mob 0409584077
http://www.narooma-aquaculture.com.au/N ... ulture.htm

I will most likely get some in December but will have to do some research in the meantime as to how you ween fish onto pellets and what water temperatures are best for Estuary Perch etc.
If anyone else is interested in getting some we may be able to work something out, I will drive up there and pick them up and could possibly deliver them to you at a meet point somewhere in Melbourne as Im coming back to the mornington peninsula.
As far as I know I have not heard of anyone else growing Estuary Perch in an aquaponics system ( mine will be an autopot un recirculated system )

I am aware that this may be unchartered territory and may not be the best fish to start with for my first AP system but I am excited about that fact and also because I have a love for them as I used to fish for them in venus bay in the river there and they are great fighters and really good table fair. ( respect ) Also they are a local species and I would love it if I could successfully grow them as there may be a market for them as they are now no longer fished for commercially etc.

My advice, start simple with an easy fish thats readily available. I've seen plenty of people try unusual fish species and not one of them has been successful. If a fish isn;t grown in aquariums or in aquaculture or AP systems, then generally it's for a reason, someone has tried it and it's just not feasible. Like black bream, beautiful fish, you can grow them (just), but hard to keep ideal conditions and VERY slow growing.. Over time you tend to loose them a few at a time and basically, it's just cruel trying to grow them out in less than ideal conditions.

Thanks Earthbound, duely noted. From what I know of Estuary Perch being grown, it is usually done in dams with brackish kind of water, they like the discoloured water and things to hide under. Very little is known about them being grown at all but I would like the challenge. I have visions of catching some myself and breeding them and seeing if I can supply my own fish etc without ever having to use hatcheries etc. They are late bloomers in regards to beeding and growing to plate size with the females generally being larger than males. So far all I know about them is they breed in water temps of 14 - 19 and like to live in water temps of 15 - 25.

Breeding of natives is basically impossib;e for anyone but those who have extensive gear for the purpose and extensive knowledge and experience with such things... Also, in most states catching native fish and transporting them live for aquariums or AP is illegal without the right licenses.

I hate to be a wet blanket, but there have been hundreds if not thousands before you with such aspirations, many one this forum too, and they all fail dismally... Even the noxious easy to breed non natives can be difficult to get on pellets, breed in captivity etc like redfin perch..

Thanks Earthbound, appreciate the advise. Perhaps Murray Cod would make a better starter fish!

Just get Silver Perch, they are basically the same as Estuary Perch, easier to keep than Murray Cod and you can get them easily.

No point re-inventing the wheel.

..
Anyone actually tried Estuary Perch, as distinct to speculate as to why others never did.

I am keen to try a few.. but I imagine I would be getting fingerlings that would go with my silvers
(and the mullet - which seem to be doing ok.. but... they may have stagnated in growth, as the silvers are developing faster????)

I have sorted my remaining SP, into larger and smaller, and so a gaggle of EP would go in with the smaller SP..
..

Their growth rates are reportedly about the same, or slightly slower than bass.
So I'd expect at least two years to grow them out, all going well.
(Or was that 5 years? Slow growth anyway, memory seems to be failing me now...).