Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I have had my Silvers for over six months now and they are growing at a good rate - small fingerlings (80mm) initially and now look well over double in size. My 1500L tank is dark green so it is very hard to spot them. Fortunately I have a couple of large comets in with them as it makes the water a bit more interesting to look at as the silvers are almost impossible to spot.

Feeding is anything but exciting as unless the water is nice and warm for them, they barely bother touching the water surface. All food is consumed, plant growth is excellent and water measures are great. Silvers are just boring the hell out of me. I have now returned to crushing their feed as the food sinking down will bring them out and I get to watch a bit of action.

Just wondering if this is the norm with everyone else and silvers as I have decided that although the robustness of the fish is great, once they are eaten I'm going for Trout and Barra so as to spice things up!

good question, Ive only had my first fish (silvers) for about 3 weeks now so can't offer any help
If it has been 24hrs since I last fed they break the surface at the start of feeding, they much prefer eating the sinking food though..
They seem very active at feeding time though, kinda cool to watch.
My water however has gone quite dark and I cant even see halfway into the IBC.. slightly concerned about that actually, and it makes it harder to see the fish..

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My System

Ive said it before and Ill say it again Borby....SP are sooks!

They are a warmer water species and thats when I see a bit of action from mine, the bigger ones hit the surface pretty hard. But as it cools down they just huddle in a corner and thats where they stay.

The best thing about SP is thay live all year round and a almost bullet proof, unlike trout and barra which a highly temperature dependant.

Check out my vids of my sooky SP here

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~2010/2011~
~2012/2013~
~My Yabbie Hunting Adventures~

I have found SP are not to bad really, I feed mine twice a day and they feed quite well, some times i will sit near the fish tank and look straght down and it takes a few minutes but they do become curious and will come and check me out, they dont have anything on Barra or Trout but their not booring, well I dont think so, might just take some time as they get bigger they may get more intresting?
I have found that if you upset barra they will be sooks for at least a few days.

Maybe your just a top bloke grunta and they like spending time with you

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~2010/2011~
~2012/2013~
~My Yabbie Hunting Adventures~

Our SP are most active late in the day when the water has had the most opportunity to warm up.

Morning feed is as dull as dishwater. Afternoon feed is very splashy : )

I found it helped having a cover almost completely over the tank. They are far more comfortable and sociable with a bit of top cover.

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If at first you don't succeed, get a bigger hammer.
viewtopic.php?f=18&t=4402

My SP always seem active when feeding.. gotta have some benefits to QLD

That reminds me, I visited Woolongong on a road trip, stopped by Callala bay / Jervis bay. Most beatiful beach/view I have seen to date

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My System

Should have dropped into Gerringong Superveg...





And Seven Mile Beach just down the road... isn't bad either...

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Fresh By Nature - Distributor of Aquaponic Systems and Products in NSW
http://www.freshbynature.com.au

I think those photos have been photo shopped Rupert. There are not enough clouds in the sky and there are no floods. I do like the security around 7 mile beach though.

As to SP, I have had mine for 6 weeks now and they are quite active around feeding time causing plenty of splashing (the cat has started to stay away at feeding time so he does not get wet) even when the water temp is at 19C in the morning. I had one acting like a dolphin the other day sticking its head out of the water and ballancing on its tail. It took me a little while and then realised that there was a pellet stuck on a spiders web and the fish was trying to get it. Perhaps I have got a SP/Trout cross. I will find out later on in winter.

When i got my silvers i started feeding them floating food of various sizes, they never ate it at all and some of them actually started getting smalller after a few weeks.
I now feed them only sinking food and they eat fine but never come anywhere near the surface.
As Charlie says, they are sooks.

yep - sooks

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~2010/2011~
~2012/2013~
~My Yabbie Hunting Adventures~

You know what Rupe, I think we did !
And we walked across the rocks on that point... I think it was there...
Down on those rocks, is there some sort of man made pool ?

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My System

Sure is Superveg...

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Fresh By Nature - Distributor of Aquaponic Systems and Products in NSW
http://www.freshbynature.com.au

Yep thats it

I have been searching my drives for the pics, think they are on my old computer.
Great view alright, we were just driving through (to melbourne) and thought it was a nice spot to have a break and take some nice pics.
If I ever go through there again, Ill drop by

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My System

Please do...

I'll show you my Silvers.... they're not so much timid... as just bloody quick...

And getting too big for the net...

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Fresh By Nature - Distributor of Aquaponic Systems and Products in NSW
http://www.freshbynature.com.au