Alternative fish to Tilapia for fish farms

sparkle

I just found out that soon its going to be illegial to have Tilapia farms in California because they could threaten other species. Are there profitable alternatives to Tilapia besides salmon? I'm looking for fish that can be grown as "green" as possible, good for the fish and healthy for people.

missionaryman

Hey Sparkle Welcome
This forum is full of Aussies... Check out some of their alternatives. I believe tilapia are illegal there too. Fortunatly for me here in Botswana they are native so their isn't a problem. I think if you want to keep it native California would be a good climate for catfish. Great market too.

MM

enumi78

Hey MM

Im a bit more to the south.. SA, NC.. I started my IBC system 2 month back with blue and red Tilapia. So far good progress.

If California is not allowing T's anymore thats good for us! More exports!!! :laughing3:

missionaryman

Hey E78
Do you buy your fish or catch them for your stock???

MM

Brian Fanner

Hey inumi78! Another South African Aquaponicist. What are your winter water temps like up north?
I have been looking into a local species called yellowfish. It grows huge!

enumi78

MM: Got my first stock from Pretoria..
Brian: I looked into it for quiet some time and now finally started! Bit of a mission but I am almost there. Nevertheless the fish is growing and the veggies, too. Up here in winter its easily below 0 at night. Have 1100W fish tank heaters in my 800l fishpond which is inside the garage. Are you breeding YF already? I want to start breeding my own stock now. I am planning to do this commercially. 3000 - 5000 fish per month. Still looking for an investor though ;-)

missionaryman

Hey guys i started a thread called "what works for us in Southern Africa". How about we go there instead of hijacking sparkles thread....SORRY SPARKLE...Good luck without tilapia.

MM

missionaryman

it's under plants...hope to see you there

Brian Fanner

I have yet to get my hands on some yellow fish. They are protected but are being bred somewhere for restocking rivers and streams where they have gone extinct. I have no idea how they taste.

I have trout in my outdoor system doing very well and getting huge and tilapia in my small greenhouse but so far they have hardly gained much in size due to the cold. I am contemplating some carp for their ability to handle a wide temperature range, or possibly bluegill....

GraphicGr8s

Are you sure they are banning tilapia farms totally? Here in Florida it is required to have a permit for most of the tilapia. And any other fish that you want to sell. Being California I am not surprised at the fees they charge for the permitting.

You may want to try contacting Department of Aquaculture for the straight dope and not rely on word of mouth on this. Phone call is all it takes to be certain.

http://www.dfg.ca.gov/licensing/pdffiles/fg750.pdf
The above link is to the application I found.

And here's the link for California fish and game

http://www.dfg.ca.gov/licensing/pdffiles/fg750.pdf

LisaM12

Although Tilapia is the most common of all. Here are some great choices for you to choose from:

• Catfish
• Crappies
• Goldfish
• Jade Perch
• Koi
• Tilapia (most common)
• Trout

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