audiox Posted September 5, 2015 Report Share Posted September 5, 2015 I am in the process of setting up an aquaponics system and would really like to stock my system with an edible fish variety to provide food for the table to go along with the vegies it will produce.The choices available seem pretty limited however perch would make a great option. Does anyone know where I could purchase some fingerlings or junior fish?If not, is it possible / legal to catch them from natural waterways? I am in Southland and I believe they are in abundance down here. Can anyone point me in the right direction for learning how to catch, care for and transport them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwiraka Posted September 5, 2015 Report Share Posted September 5, 2015 Perch are a pest fish and therefore it is illegal to posses live specimens.In New Zealand options are very limited. Goldfish are a possibility (I don't imagine they'd taste very good though) Tropical fish are another possibility, maybe oscars? Another option would be mullet, not sure if this has been attempted yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
audiox Posted September 5, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 5, 2015 Perch are a pest fish and therefore it is illegal to posses live specimens.In New Zealand options are very limited. Goldfish are a possibility (I don't imagine they'd taste very good though) Tropical fish are another possibility, maybe oscars? Another option would be mullet, not sure if this has been attempted yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwiraka Posted September 5, 2015 Report Share Posted September 5, 2015 Your best bet would be in the shallows of an estuary or tidal stream, they're easiest to catch in tidal streams that get cut off from the sea at low tide. Or maybe getting friendly with your local fresh fish supplier. Silverdollarboy2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted September 5, 2015 Report Share Posted September 5, 2015 Tasman Bay Herbs started experimenting with aquaponics using grass carp in 2010. I don't know whether it has been successful from the fish side but the vegetables and herbs were selling well. He was going to liaise with chefs to find recipes for the carp.http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/lifestyle-entertainment/3397569/Fish-used-to-grow-veges Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shilo Posted September 5, 2015 Report Share Posted September 5, 2015 Perch are classified as a "Sports Fish" like trout and salmon rather then a pest fish. Because of this they come under the Freshwater Fisheries regulations and are under the control / management of Fish and Game. To catch them you need a licence and unfortunately like trout the regulations prohibit keeping them in captivity with out written permission form Fish and Game. You can contact them and see what they say, I think they would be more worried about somebody starting to sell the fish commercially then keeping them at home for your own consumption.Perch would be good - grow up to 2kg and I hear they are good eating! kiwiraka 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxim_nz Posted September 13, 2015 Report Share Posted September 13, 2015 I have looked at this extensively - there in no other practical option in NZ to use anything but Goldfish for aquaponics. You could use common large growing tropical fish that you can legally buy in pet shops, but I'm not sure I would want to eat those. You should not eat Goldfish anyway. Just use them to grow your plants.Tropical fish = heating costs but all year round waste producersGoldfish = no heating costs, minimal waste output over winter monthsThe brown bullhead catfish which is a pest spread throughout the Waikato would be a great option for NZ aquaponics. Apparently they taste nice if fed a decent (clean) diet and not scavenging off unknown river waste. I think DOC are unlikely to allow this to anyone but a serious commercial venture under strict control, so back to the Goldfish option.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrienne Posted September 13, 2015 Report Share Posted September 13, 2015 I have looked at this extensively - there in no other practical option in NZ to use anything but Goldfish for aquaponics. You could use common large growing tropical fish that you can legally buy in pet shops, but I'm not sure I would want to eat those. You should not eat Goldfish anyway. Just use them to grow your plants.Tropical fish = heating costs but all year round waste producersGoldfish = no heating costs, minimal waste output over winter monthsThe brown bullhead catfish which is a pest spread throughout the Waikato would be a great option for NZ aquaponics. Apparently they taste nice if fed a decent (clean) diet and not scavenging off unknown river waste. I think DOC are unlikely to allow this to anyone but a serious commercial venture under strict control, so back to the Goldfish option.. http://aquariumworld.nz/fish/articles-guides/pest-fish/brown-bullhead-r48/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Likoma Posted September 22, 2015 Report Share Posted September 22, 2015 (edited) Been trialing aquaponics intensively now for a few months. Love it. Been growing strawberries over winter under full spectrum LED grow lights. Check out the video that shows our 500liter mixed African cichlid aquarium which provides us with strawberries, basil, mesculin mix and water cress. Make sure you watch it in HD. Edited September 22, 2015 by Likoma TBrewerton and kiwiraka 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBrewerton Posted September 23, 2015 Report Share Posted September 23, 2015 I would love to see a video on the equipment side of this tank - its incredible! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted September 23, 2015 Report Share Posted September 23, 2015 (edited) Wow, that Pothos is looking good!! I believe Oscars aren't bad to eat, they grow fast, eat lots and are easy enough to breed. Yes you've got heating costs and I don't know if it would be commercially viable, but a small pool full of oscars in a heated/insulated shed could be a good option for aquaponics. Edited September 23, 2015 by David R Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Likoma Posted October 21, 2015 Report Share Posted October 21, 2015 (edited) I would love to see a video on the equipment side of this tank - its incredible!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkrO9P45HVc Edited October 21, 2015 by Likoma TBrewerton 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBrewerton Posted October 22, 2015 Report Share Posted October 22, 2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkrO9P45HVcVery cool - thanks heaps for the video :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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