Jade Perch Australia
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The PERCH MAN Website updated February 14th 2026
HINT: Most pictures on this website can be enlarged just by right clicking on the image and opening in a new tab.
If you are using a phone, long press and select "open image," zoom in and hold your phone horizontally.
Jade perch and silver perch fingerlings available now.
See link to prices below.
This website containes knowledge gained over almost 40 years.
You can find information about many Australian native freshwater fish species.
You can order fingerlings and fish food here too.
What can I help you with ?
. . . click links below
HOW TO USE THE MEMBERS AREA
To sign up, and pay the membership fee, email me directly. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
To access this area of the website click on "membership" on the top menu bar.
Once you have signed up you will notice that the "membership" button on the menu bar now has a "Technical Information" drop down.
Just click on Technical Information, and you are in.
The members area has detailed information about Australian freshwater fish, including growing and disease management
Essential Equipment for Commercial Aquaculture Activities
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SUCCESSFUL AQUACULTURE REQUIREMENTS
Equipment OR tools of the trade
Also excellent for the backyard people, aquaponics etc.
There is the bare minimum and there is the essential.
The bare minimum means you don't really know what is going on in your water and with your fish.
The essential means you can know what's going on in your water and with your fish.
There are some water quality measurements that you need to know, and some that you MUST know if you are a commercial fish farmer.
(And you want to succeed.)
Just having the equipment is not enough.
You MUST use it. and . . .
you must keep records.
Records are essential.
They will help you improve what you are doing . . .
Which is . . . make some profit !
pH and oxygen are the first things you should always know.
In a pond the pH gives you some idea what is going on with the CO2 of the pond.
In a RAS it helps you understand how critical the ammonia might be.
See these pages to understand why I say this.
The essential "tools" are a pH meter and an oxygen meter.
Below reliable inxepensive pH meter - click to go to their website
Below reliable quality oxygen meters - click to go to their website
The next piece of essential equipment is a salt refractometer
If you are handling live fish, you need this.
Below is a classic refractometer available online from au$28.00 to hundreds of dollars.
The one below is exactly what I use. The expensive ones are as near as I can tell overpriced.
They range in price a lot so look carefully. The main thing you are looking for is a sturdy case, as seen below, and a clear view as also seen below.
Right click on the picture and open in a new tab to see full size image.
(On a phone, long tap and zoom.)
When fish are harvested or during premarket purging the fish should be in sale between 2 to 5 PPT.
Tip. In the picture below note that the person looking in the instrument is not holding the instrument so the water will not run out of the viewing stage.
You will soon work this out when you start using one of these.
Microscope
Microscopes are also essential to help identify and treat pathogens.
In most cases you can send a sample of your fish to a lad and have them identify any disease you fish may have, but this takes time.
Time is critical because the longer it takes to start dealing with a disease, the stronger the grip of the disease will have on you fish.
It is vital that the operator of a farm can quickly identify an issue, and start treatment.
Obviously, for a hatchery is is absolutely essential so you can examine oocytes.
Alarms
An essential piece of equipment is an alarm to tell you your fish will all die soon unless you act immediately !
There are many things that you can have an alarm for but oxygen is the essential one.
Without oxygen your fish are about to die.
All you need to know is when the air stops flowing to your fish tanks.
Not as urgent in a pond.
Everything in a pond moves slower and with good records you will know well in advance if your oxygen will become dangerously low.
In a tank, with a lot of fish, it's an urgent situation.
Easily fixed with a simple, cheap air switch, a battery, and a siren or a phone notification.
And see below for the simple switch.
Air tubing in and 12 volt wires to siren. (Just a car battery.)
Simple siren used on car alarms and security systems
No alarm - you get this -
Seafood naming in Australia
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Seafood naming in Australia
The primary authority for establishing standard seafood names in Australia is the Fish Names Committee (FNC), which develops and maintains the Australian Fish Names Standard (AS SSA 5300).
This standard ensures that over 4,000 species of fish and shellfish have a consistent, approved name used in trade, retail, and hospitality.
Key Seafood Naming and Labelling Authorities in Australia
Fish Names Committee (FNC):
Appointed by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC), this committee includes experts from the seafood industry, government, and science to determine official names.
Australian Fish Names Standard (AS SSA 5300):
Developed in consultation with stakeholders, this is the official reference for identifying fish species in Australia.
Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC):
Administers the Country of Origin Food Labelling Information Standard 2016, which requires most seafood to be labelled with its origin.
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ):
Sets the food safety and labelling standards in the Food Standards Code.
State/Territory Food Authorities:
Enforce the Food Standards Code, such as the NSW Food Authority, which monitors for "seafood substitution" (using wrong names).
Aquaculture consulting level 2
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LEVEL 2 au$480.00 per day plus expenses.
I come to you.
Includes access to the members areaof this website.
I VISIT YOU
I visit your facility in most South East Asian countries or anywhere in the eastern states of Australia and South Australia.
FEE au$480.00 per day plus travel days.
Minimum days on site is three days.
All expenses are additional.
Airfares, meals, accommodation, and out of pocket expenses to be paid by client.
Consulting fee and airfares payable in advance.
NOTE: For long flights, over 5 hours, business class, or equivalent, will be booked for one leg of the trip.
For over 9 hours business class, or equivalent, for all flights.
I visit your facility anywhere in most Southeast Asian countries.
Also eastern states of Australia and South Australia.
One on-site visit up to three days.
Also eastern states of Australia and South Australia.
One on-site visit up to three days.
Some of the areas I can help with.
- Staff training.
- One year access to members area of on this web site
- One customized (Personalised) instructional video
- Hands on spawning process for jade and silver perch
- How to get your fish into spawning condition (Females produce eggs)
- How to breed sleepy cod
- How to successfully spawn jade perch
- How to successfully spawn silver perch
- General design and layout of aquaculture sheds, facilities, hatchery, purging etc.
- Farm design and layout
- Site assessment
- Cooperative marketing with other clients in your region
- Hatchery procedures
- Document preparation - includes
- Tailored bio-security/quarantine protocols
- Environmental manage plans
- Operating procedures
- Staff daily task organisers - check lists (Tick sheet)
- Quarantine protocols
- Bio-security
- Daily start-up and close down procedures
- Codes of practice
- Disease management plans
- Customised Disease Management Manual
Currently working with clients in, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, China, Laos, Indonesia, and Australia.
*Right click on images then open in new tab to see full size image
Malaysia, Singapore and Batam 2025
Jakarta 2025
Meeting in Hong Kong, clients from Mainland China July 2023
Working with Hong Kong fisheries department July 2023
New broodstock jade perch arrive in Malaysia August 2023
First ever jade perch for Laos arrive July 2023 Click for video
Malaysia July 2022 developing breeding of jade perch
Laos July 2022 visit two new jade perch farm sites in Laos.
Perth February 2020 - Silver perch grow out facilirty click for video
Malaysia December 2019 - Breeding jade perch.
Singapore December 2019
Click to view video of an interview used by a client to promote their product and facility
Hong Kong December 2019. Introducing business opportunities with other Australian companies.
Below Jade perch farm near Ipoh Malaysia
Below working with client breeding program in Ipoh, Malaysia.
Below: working with hatcheries and farms in Malaysia. Developing best practices and disease management tools.
Below unpacking jade perch fry in Malaysia
Below, Australian freshwater table fish get attention from James Cook University, Singapore campus, and growers.
Below left site compliance and accreditation. Below right. In China, weaning difficult species.
Below: on site in Hong Kong demonstrating management with video presentation, and practical handeling methods.
Teaching practical skills to staff in Hong Kong and Malaysia
BELOW LEFT: Hong Kong Fisheries Department. RIGHT: Unpacking jade perch in China
BELOW: Leon Ashby Operations Manager for Queensland Senator Fraser Anning Leon's wife, Jane on the right. Advice on future aquaculture potential in Queensland.
Below: Design and construction of fish farms and hatcheries.
Below: Spawning Australian native freshwater fish
Below: Disease management and treatment practices
Below; Developing management practices
Looks like you are interested in becoming a fish farmer.
Many people have entered aquaculture without realising they are starting a business.
It’s not just a “side line”, it’s a business on its own.
You need to consider; do you have the time to manage a new business?
Do you have the necessary skills to grow fish?
Do you have the time and commitment to learn a new skill?
Consulting level 3 PREMIUM CLIENT SERVICE
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All material contained in this website is subject to copyright
One fee for 12 months consulting service.
South East Asian countries including Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Laos, Indonesia and nearby countries, au$6,340.00.
Australian east coast states and South Australia, au$3,140.00.
Australian east coast states and South Australia, au$3,140.00.
WHAT YOU GET FOR ONE FEE.
I visit your facility anywhere in most Southeast Asian countries.
Also eastern states of Australia and South Australia.
One on-site visit per year, up to three days on site.
All travel, accommodation and out-of-pocket expenses are included.
This is for one visit only.
If you need me to come more than once during the 12 months, the usual fees will apply.
You can email, phone or message me during the 12 months up to 200 times.
Also eastern states of Australia and South Australia.
One on-site visit per year, up to three days on site.
All travel, accommodation and out-of-pocket expenses are included.
This is for one visit only.
If you need me to come more than once during the 12 months, the usual fees will apply.
You can email, phone or message me during the 12 months up to 200 times.
Some of the areas I can help with.
- Staff training.
- One year access to members area of on this web site
- Consultations by phone, email, or app communication, up to 200 times per year.
- Customized (Personalised) instructional videos
- General design and layout of aquaculture sheds, facilities, hatchery, purging etc.
- Farm design and layout
- Site assessment
- Cooperative marketing with other clients in your region
- Hatchery procedures
- Document preparation - includes
- Tailored bio-security/quarantine protocols
- Environmental manage plans
- Operating procedures
- Staff daily task organisers - check lists (Tick sheet)
- Quarantine protocols
- Bio-security
- Daily start-up and close down procedures
- Codes of practice
- Disease management plans
- Customised Disease Management Manual
ALSO INCLUDED is 2 years access to all the PREMIUM CLIENT videos
These videos cover in full detail many subjects including:
> Exactly how to spawn Australian freshwater fish
> How to condition breeders for spawning
> How to microchip your breeders
> How to take an egg (oocytes) sample
> How to inject ovulating hormone
> Which hormone to use
> How to release larvae into a plankton pond
> How long from injection to releasing larvae into a plankton pond
> How to fertilise a plankton pond
> How to design a plankton pond
> How to breed jade perch
> How to breed silver perch
> How to breed sleepy cod (soon hock)
> How to wean your fry
> How to manage/prevent diseases. With NO antibiotic !
> How to design your hatchery
> Farm design
> How to microchip your breeders
> How to take an egg (oocytes) sample
> How to inject ovulating hormone
> Which hormone to use
> How to release larvae into a plankton pond
> How long from injection to releasing larvae into a plankton pond
> How to fertilise a plankton pond
> How to design a plankton pond
> How to breed jade perch
> How to breed silver perch
> How to breed sleepy cod (soon hock)
> How to wean your fry
> How to manage/prevent diseases. With NO antibiotic !
> How to design your hatchery
> Farm design
. . . and many more
INCLUDED Special video requests made to order.
Currently working with clients in, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, China, Laos, Indonesia, and Australia.
*Right click on images then open in new tab to see full size image
Malaysia, Singapore and Batam 2025
Jakarta 2025
Meeting in Hong Kong, clients from Mainland China July 2023
Working with Hong Kong fisheries department July 2023
New broodstock jade perch arrive in Malaysia August 2023
First ever jade perch for Laos arrive July 2023 Click for video
Malaysia July 2022 developing breeding of jade perch
Laos July 2022 visit two new jade perch farm sites in Laos.
Perth February 2020 - Silver perch grow out facilirty click for video
Malaysia December 2019 - Breeding jade perch.
Singapore December 2019
Click to view video of an interview used by a client to promote their product and facility
Hong Kong December 2019. Introducing business opportunities with other Australian companies.
Below Jade perch farm near Ipoh Malaysia
Below working with client breeding program in Ipoh, Malaysia.
Below: working with hatcheries and farms in Malaysia. Developing best practices and disease management tools.
Below unpacking jade perch fry in Malaysia
Below, Australian freshwater table fish get attention from James Cook University, Singapore campus, and growers.
Below left site compliance and accreditation. Below right. In China, weaning difficult species.
Below: on site in Hong Kong demonstrating management with video presentation, and practical handeling methods.
Teaching practical skills to staff in Hong Kong and Malaysia
BELOW LEFT: Hong Kong Fisheries Department. RIGHT: Unpacking jade perch in China
BELOW: Leon Ashby Operations Manager for Queensland Senator Fraser Anning Leon's wife, Jane on the right. Advice on future aquaculture potential in Queensland.
Below: Design and construction of fish farms and hatcheries.
Below: Spawning Australian native freshwater fish
Below: Disease management and treatment practices
Below; Developing management practices
Looks like you are interested in becoming a fish farmer.
Many people have entered aquaculture without realising they are starting a business.
It’s not just a “side line”, it’s a business on its own. You need to consider; do you have the time to manage a new business?
Do you have the necessary skills to grow fish?
Do you have the time and commitment to learn a new skill?
SILVER PERCH quick find links
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This page is to help you quickly find most used information
Please note that most of the information regarding jade perch also applies to silver perch, with the exception of the temperature range, and growth rates.
UNPACKING COMMERCIAL FINGERLING AND FRY SHIPMENTS
VITAL INFORMATION IF YOU HAVE FISH SHIPPED TO YOU
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How many fish can be stocked in a commercial pond Click for more
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How to determine the stocking density for a commercial jade perch pond
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Disease and quarantine management
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Water quality parameters explained (Oxygen, pH etc.)
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How many fish will survive after stocking fingerlings
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A popular question, "If I put fingerlings in my dam, how many will survive ?
To order fingerlings email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
There is no simple answer to this question.
There are too many variables.
Essentially you need to assess this for yourself.
The way to do this is to ask yourself some questions, and this is where is gets foggy.
Most people don’t know what questions to ask, so I will cover the most common questions below.
Other factors may still impact survival of stocked fish, but I will cover the most common impacts to fish stocking on this page.
Can I legally stock my dam?
Be sure to check regulations before stocking any fingerlings in dams anywhere in Australia
What is the water quality?
The next thing to do is look at any special requirements for the species you intend to stock.
Some of the information you will find here.
For example what do silver perchneed?
Best temperature range 23C and 28C.(WATER TEMPERATURE, NOT AIR TEMPERATURE.)
They will tolerate as low as 2C, and as high as 37C.
They will grow well at temperatures above 15c.
Best pH range between 6.5 and 9.
Tolerate pH levels between 5 and 10
Salt Salinity levels of 5 grams per litre are very safe.
These are questions you need to answer for yourself.
When you take the water temperature of your dam, it should be taken at least 1.5 meters from the surface, and not in direct sunlight. (The deeper the better.)
Your thermometer could be attached to a long string to do this.
If there are already small fish in your dam, then you can probably ignore most of these questions.
Silver perch are very hardy, so if there are other fish surviving happily in you dam, then you can reasonably assume that silver perch will be just as happy.
Predation?
Has your dam been stocked in the past with predatory species like barramundi, golden perch, or Australian bass?
If the answer is yes, you will experience losses of new fingerlings due to those previous stockings of predatory fish feeding on the small fingerlings.
To reduce this as much as possible release your new fingerlings in an area where they can hide quickly after being released.
However, consider this, predatory species will quite likely be lurking amongst the shelter you choose.
In the picture above you can see a considerable difference between those two dams.
One has a large amount of weed which will provide hiding places for fingerlings after they are released.
The larger dam at the top, has less hiding places for fingerlings.
(The angle of the picture does not show the size difference.
The dam at the top is about five times bigger than the dam at the bottom of the picture.)
Also remember, you should not release new fingerlings in shallow water which may be quite hot.
Silver perch are not considered to be a predatory species, so if you have only stocked silver perch, predation is not really an issue.
Large silver perchusually not bother chasing a fast healthy fingerling unless it is sick, or stressed from the trip to your dam.
One of the biggest predation issues are cormorants, sometimes called shags.
There are several species. Pictured here are the most common.
They are often seen drying themselves on the banks of dams or in trees near the dam.
These water birds essentially "fly" underwater and are expert fish eaters.
The one pictured below is one of the larger types capable of catching and eating quite large fish.
The most common is the little black cormorant, pictured below.
The best defence against these predators is a lot of underwater structure that the fish can use to escape from these efficient fish eaters.
Escape
Virtually all dams overflow at some time.
The principle job of a dam is to catch overland water flows.
Fish are designed to make sure the species will survive.
One way they do this is to move about when water is flowing.
Even your big adult fish will move when water is flowing.
Usually perch will go upstream but some will move downstream.
This way they can populate areas that may have been in drought conditions, as is often the case in Australia.
This is an easy fix.
If you dam does not overflow a lot you might get away with a gravel screen across the overflow of the dam.
See this example that I used for decades on a small dam that had almost no catchment and only overflowed very slowly.
You can see the fish trying to get out of the dam but the fence is working perfectly.
This is my favourite video.
Food
Does you dam have enough natural resources for the fish species you will stock?
If not you may need to feed them, or stock less fish.
If you are stocking silver perch this is easily solved because silver perch can be fed aquaculture pellets.
My fish are already converted to aquaculture feed.
Silver perch definitely are NOT vegetarian, they are in fact omnivores.
However they are generally not considered to be predatory.
They will eat almost anything, animal or vegetable!
They will eat worms and most other aquatic life including weeds.
Should you add fingerlings in the future the older fish are very unlikely to eat the new fingerlings.
They readily take artificial food, such as aquaculture pellets, chook pellets or bread.
Bread or chook foods are not the best of diets for fish but will do in small quantities.
Aquaculture pellets are a properly balanced diet and fish will thrive on these commercially available foods.
Grow your own fish
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Below are links to information about growing your own fish
RAS (Recirculation Aquaculture System)
Links that explain water paramenters
Fish have a muddy or earthy taste
YouTube video about how to use large pellets to feed small fish
YouTube video of a backyard aquaponic set-up
This is a link to the famous Rob Bob Back yard aquaponic information
Fingerlings for farm dams - information links
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Click the links below for information about fish for farm dams
Freshwater fish of Australia
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Click the links below to find detailed information about each species
Jade perch and silver perch fingerlings available now.
JADE PERCH INFORMATION
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In a recently published research paper, Oficialdegui et al. (2025) showed that global aquaculture has increasingly relied on farming species outside their native ranges. Indeed, the study identified that the annual growth rate of non-native species produced in aquaculture now exceeds that of native species — and in 2022 alone, 32 million tonnes of non-native aquatic species were farmed, accounting for 37% of the world’s total aquaculture production.
Source: Aquaculture Magazine, 7th Feb 2026
https://aquaculturemag.com/Jade perch and silver perch fingerlings available now.
JADE PERCH INFORMATION
To see full size images, right click - open image in new tab
The aquaculture of Jade Perch has become one of the fastest growing freshwater fish species in the world.
Jade perch definitely are NOT vegetarian, they are in fact omnivores.
They will eat almost anything, animal or vegetable!
For the aquaculture of any species to succeed there needs to be a few basic "boxes ticked".
The success of jade perch as an aquaculture species is because the species ticks so many of these boxes.
They are relatively hard to kill, the grow fast, they don't need expensive aquaculture diets to grow well, and they are very popular as a table fish in one of the worlds biggest seafood markets, that's the Asian community.
When I say the "Asian community" I am not saying, "Asian countries", but I am saying Asian communities in any country.
In Australia, the species found its early market acceptance within the Chinese restaurants in the major capital cities of Australia.
This provided the jumping off point for the species to gain its current success in Asian communities world wide.
The biggest box the species has ticked it the "health" box.
It is extraordinarily high in omega-3.
With all the knowledge now known about the benefits of omega-3 this was the final box to "tick."
The "health box tick", was the final quality needed to guarantee the species market success.
This market potential is massive.
I predict this species will be produced in most countries around the world over the next few years.
It is already settling into markets in countries like Vietnam, mainland China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia, USA, and Europe.
There is no reason these countries, and any future country to try them will not see exactly the same growth in market demand as the first countries that tried it have enjoyed.
The name, "Jade Perch" was chosen because of the distinctive green, (jade) colour displayed by the fish as the light catches the scales on the dorsal area of the fish.
The market for jade perch at that time was almost exclusively Chinese restaurants, and jade being a precious gemstone was felt to be appealing to the Chinese customers.
The name was chosen by 3 of the pioneer growers, (Michael Hickey, Stan Moore, Rosss Mammino.) of jade perch while sitting around the kitchen table of the then president for the Aquaculture Association of Queensland Inc., Bruce Sambell. (The PERCH MAN.)
The common name, at that time, was barcoo grunter which did not have market appeal.
Healthy food - Australian Jade Perch a super food
Omega-3 testing conducted at the CSIRO Marine Research Laboratories, Hobart as part of an FRDC project 99/331.
Findings showed that jade perch contained the highest level of Omega-3 of over 200 species tested.
JADE perch has 11.1% Omega-3, compared to Silver perch with 9.9%. Details here
JADE perch has 11.1% Omega-3, compared to Silver perch with 9.9%. Details here
There are good and bad fats. We hear a lot about the "bad" saturated fats.
But some other fats, "good fats", like Omega-3 fatty acids are absolutely required for normal health and development.
They're building blocks of every living cell in your body. Omega-3 fatty acids must be obtained from the diet for good health.
Thousands of scientific research studies have shown that Omega-3s can help strengthen and protect every cell in your body - and especially those cells in your heart, brain and joints.
Omega-3s also have been shown to help lower triglyceride levels contributing to a 50% reduction in the risk of death from heart disease in people with a diet rich in Omega-3 nutrients.
Diets enriched with Omega-3 fatty acids may help prevent some risk factors associated with cardiovascular and heart disease.
It's important to note that you must get Omega-3s through diet or nutritional supplements because the human body can't make them on its own.
Omega-3s are essential nutrients found in fresh, Australian jade perch.
Diets enriched with Omega-3 fatty acids may help prevent some risk factors associated with cardiovascular and heart disease.
It's important to note that you must get Omega-3s through diet or nutritional supplements because the human body can't make them on its own.
Omega-3s are essential nutrients found in fresh, Australian jade perch.
They are scientifically proven to nourish every living cell, significantly impacting heart, brain and joint health.
Omega-3 benefits improve, cartilage health, heart health, joint health, brain health and mother’s health, not to mention our general health and well being.
You can improve your life with the proven health benefits of Omega-3 contained in quality Australian Jade Perch !
Jade Perch really seem to grow very fast
The feeding behavior of Australian Jade Perch is normally vigorous in the extreme.
The fish race towards the end of the pond where the approaching farmer is about to feed, creating quite a bow wave as they begin to break the surface with their heads.
Once they reach the edge of the pond they will extent their entire head from the water in anticipation of a feed.
Click for videoThis behaviour decreases in intensity as the temperature drops.
Under 18c surface feeding will almost stop.
In Australia, some farmers have experienced stock losses during winter.
Unlike wild caught fish, farmed fish have large quantities of fat within their body cavity.
They grow extremely fast and will be highly suited to moderate sub tropical to tropical climates.
When farmed correctly, from fingerling to 1kg in 12 months is achievable.
They have also proven to be a good species for recirculating systems, RAS.
(Unlike Silver Perch which are very difficult to grow beyond a few hundred grams in a RAS.) See the members areafor full details.
Quality fingerlings don't just happen.
Quality fry/fingerlings are the result of good brood fish management. We produce fish, specifically for grow out farms.
For over a quarter of a century I have been line breeding our fish.
Selecting for desirable qualities such as body shape, disease resistance, spots, and of course, fast growers.
Our breeders have been selected each season from fish obtained from our fingerling customers in Australia and our own "super shooters", and fresh wild fish.
That is many generations of line bred fish! Click for more
Feeding Jade Perch fry and fingerlings
There are a number of suitable foods that I have used over the years.
Currently we use products from Big Nutrition
I make my own special weaning diet (dust) which is best suited to fish between 8mm and 40mm.
Fish of larger sizes will eat this "dust" but they should be moved on to larger sized food as soon as possible.
The dust spreads over the water surface allowing all the fish to get to the food.
All fish getting to food helps reduce excess size variation in fish.
About half the food floats, ideal as it allows visual observation of feeding behaviour.
The members areahas more detail about food including a video of the dust being fed to jade perch.
WARNING: There is another fish, the Scortum Hillii, commonly known as the Leathery Grunter.
Fingerlings produced from this species will destroy any farm's reputation.
It is called the Leathery Grunter because of its tough, chewey eating quality.
These two fish are very difficult for even the trained eye to tell apart !
The same name has been applied to similar looking fish from Gulf Drainage rivers in the northern part of Australia.
Be sure to purchase your fingerlings from a reputable hatchery.
The brood fish should be Scortum Barcoo from the Barcoo River Basin in Central Australia.
This will ensure that you get the "good" eating fish.
This is one of the "impostor fish," Scortum hilii.
There is no noticeable difference in their appearance.
This picture of a wild Scortum hilii was taken on the river bank at the Dawson River.
The fish was caught in a gill net.
The Dawson River is close to the coast and much easier for hatcheries to access.
It looks exactly like the "wild" jade perch I have been catching over the past 40 years.
NOTE: An aquacultured fish does not look like a wild fish.
To enlarge, right click pictures, then open in new tab.
Below is an 8 week old jade perch "shooter" (A term I use to describe an extra fast growing baby fish.) with smaller jade perch in its stomach.
These fish are all the same age, from the same pond of larvae stocked only 8 weeks earlier !
Jade perch are cannibalistic up to about 12cm.
Jade perch definately are NOT vegiterian, they are in fact omnivores. They will eat almost anything, animal or vegetable!
Below are market size jade perch.
It all starts with the eggs hatching. In this YouTube video you can see the larvae breaking out of the egg shells. Click here
OK, so how about when we eat them?
They are very goog to eat, and have a firmer, slightly flaky flesh than Silver Perch. (Provided there is no "pond flavour". click for more.)
They grow extremely fast and are highly suited for aquaculture in areas with a moderate sub tropical to tropical climate.
They are also proving to be a good species for recirculating aquaculture systems. (RAS)
The fish come from a very hostile environment.
Fish in Australian rivers must be able to cope well with the “feast and famine” nature of many of the river systems in Australia.
These rivers can be dry for months, even years.
Large water holes are the surviving refuge for many species of Australian native fishes, especially jade perch.
The fish in these water holes predate on each other for survival.
After flooding the natural food supply for these fish is abundant.
This glut of food is a contrast in the extreme compared to a drought situation where the fish will find getting a feed very difficult.
Also during the cooler water temperatures experienced in winter (usually the dry season) the fish are less active and probably rarely feed. The stored fat will be used to help the fish survive in these situations. In aquaculture, fish are grown in an artificial environment such as a commercial fish pond or a RAS.
They are in fact being kept in a “feast” situation.
The fish grow rapidly and store fat as quick as they can, to be ready for the “famine”, which never comes in a controled aquaculture situation.
SOME RECEPES HERE
SOME RECEPES HERE
This fish sure has a great place in commercial aquaculture !
Purging or "finishing"
Like most freshwater fish species jade perch can develop off flavour.
Fish are significant bio accumulators, meaning they gradually build up the chemicals that cause the off flavour from their environment.
Freshwater fish "drink" through their gills and skin.
This is mainly how the chemicals that cause off flavour enters the fish’ body.
These chemicals are more concentrated in the skin and fat of the fish.
The fat tissues in the fish absorb compounds released by blue green algae in the ponds.
The off flavour can vary from season to season depending on algae blooms.
The fat tissues in the fish absorb compounds released by blue green algae in the ponds.
The off flavour can vary from season to season depending on algae blooms.
Off flavour can even happen to fish in RAS systems, (Recirculating Aquaculture Systems.)
In a RAS, the off-flavour can come from the filter system.
Fish in aquaculture systems that use surface waters, (Usually not from well, or bore water.) can have earthy/muddy/musty taints even if algae is not in the aquaculture facility
The most common off-flavors are caused by metabolites of blue-green algae.
These off-flavors are typically referred to as “musty” from 2-methyli-soborneol (MIB) and “muddy” from geosmin.
A wide range of algae species have been identified as producing off flavour. The two most common organisms responsible for the production of these compounds are cyanobacteria and actinomycetes.
Fish in aquaculture systems that use surface waters, (Usually not from well, or bore water.) can have earthy/muddy/musty taints even if algae is not in the aquaculture facility
The most common off-flavors are caused by metabolites of blue-green algae.
These off-flavors are typically referred to as “musty” from 2-methyli-soborneol (MIB) and “muddy” from geosmin.
A wide range of algae species have been identified as producing off flavour. The two most common organisms responsible for the production of these compounds are cyanobacteria and actinomycetes.
The remedy is simple.
To remove the off-flavour the fish should be held in clean water for 3-21 days, depending on the individual farm and pond.
If the fish are held in very clean water for a few days these flavours can be removed.
If the purging tank has flow-through water that comes from an irrigation scheme, or an open pond or dam, there is a real risk that the fish can continue to have off flavour that comes from the introduced water.
Particularly if the water origin is subject to rain, or flooding that might cause an algal bloom, or muddy water.
Generally the purging, or finishing time is about a week days.
It is recommended that before fish are sent to market that the grower taste test 2 or 3 fish from each batch.
If there are no “off flavours” present, the product can be said to be “finished,” or market ready.
When properly purged of these off flavours, these fish have excellent table qualities.
The flesh is white, slightly flaky, and has a delicate, melt in the mouth texture.
A tip when cooking, is to cook a little longer that you might for many "marine" or salt water fish.
The longer you cook them the firmer and drier the flesh will become.
As a freshwater fish, the fillet is a lot more moist than salt water fish.
If not cooked for long enough, the fillet can be a little "mushy" in texture, too soft, and too moist.
Another tip
The chemicals that cause these off flavours can concentrated in the skin and fat of the fish.
A skin off fillet will always taste the best. More information here
Some people believe the purging of the fish in salted water makes the flesh taste better.
This is not scientificly supported.
There is no actual change in the texture, or flavour of the fish due to the salt content of the purging water.
Although the salt in the purging water is of great benifit to the fish, however, it actually has no biological effect on the flesh. (I have always said salt is the asprin of aquaculture, and should always be used when handling fresh water fish. In fact if a professional grower, or hatchery operater did not use salt, he makes things difficult for himself, and his fish.)
The salt content of the fishes body, including the mussel tissue will always be the same through the fishes ability to *osmoregulate the salt in its body.
There are exceptions such as barramundi, but jade and silver perch undergo NO changes when kept in high levels of salt.
Too little, or too much salt will stress the fish.
When handeling live fish, such as harvesting, the fish become stressed, and lose salt to their "freshwater" environment.
A little salt added to their water is extreamly helpful.
I recomend 2 to 5 parts per thousand, (ppt). That's 2 to 5 grams per liter.
A salt content of 10ppt will result in stock losses for jade and silver perch.
At levels above 10ppm the fish experience difficulties balancing the salt levels in their bodies.
No matter how much salt you add to the water, the fish will try to regulate the salt content of their bodies.
This is known as *osmoregulation.
Osmoregulation is the regulation of a cells fluids.
It keeps the mussel tissue of the fish from becoming to dry or becoming to fluid.
It regulates the salt content and what waste to get rid of and what to keep
The salt in the purging water also helps the fish to purge their gut, and helps with parasite management.
It is also a mild antiseptic.
It also acts as a mild anaethetic keeping the fish calmer.
For greater detail on the use of salt and other chemicals to manage and treat disease go to the members area.
Growing Australian JADE perch.
Australian Jade Perch are best grown in water temperatures above 24c and below 33C.
Fastest growth is around 26C.
They will survive temperatures as low as 11C for reasonably short periods, a few weeks, but can go as low a 9c and as high as 39c for a few days.
Best pH range between 6.0 and 9.
Will tolerate pH levels between 5.5 and 10 for extended periods.
Food conversion ratios (FCR's) for jade perch are generally in the range of 1.3-2:1 (kg of food: weight growth)
Feed at about 2-4% body weight per day. WHAT SHOULD YOU FEED THEM?
Good quality commercial aquaculture feed is best. See this link for commercial quantities. www.bignutrition.com.au
The amount of fish that can be produced in a pond is greatly dependant on aeration, and water temperature.
The higher the temperature the lower the oxygen.
Put simply, this is because less oxygen can be dissolved in water at higher temperatures.
The fishes demand for oxygen is also increased as the temperature of the pond increases.
The higher the temperature the greater the metabolic rate of the fish.
From the farmers point of view, they grow faster.
Generally for every ten degrees that the temperature increases, the fishes metabolic rate doubles.
Therefor without aeration less fish can be produced in the same area.
Since Australia jade perch grow twice as fast as Queensland Silver Perch at higher temperatures, they require more aeration.
As a rough guide a one acre pond with one 2hp paddle wheel will grow about 5-6 ton of Australian jade perch.
If a 1.25 acre pond is used two paddle wheels can be used to best advantage to raise 6-7 ton of fish.
How big do they get?
We actually don't know the answer to this question just yet.
In their natural environment, they don't get anywhere near as big as the one in these pictures.
The fish in these pictures weighs 3.2 kilo.
This is an aquacultured fish. (Note the "plate friendly" shape.)
They just don't get this big in the wild.
This is probably because they don't get a chance to live long enough, or the conditions are not good enough, not enough food and too cold in winter?
Another consideration is improved genetics.
For many years our breeders have been selected for their fast growing qualities.
The slow growers are never used as breeders.
This will be having an influence on the potential size of the off-spring.
It will be a few more years before we have the answers to these questions. Click here for more
For detailed information about growing jade perch, and their health management (Disease management.) go to the members area
AQUACULTURE CONSULTINGAdvice is available at your aquaculture site or farm, to existing and potential growers of Australian freshwater fish. Advice is based on over 30 years experience and hands on practice.
New video service available for commercial farmers.
Below, the Gut of a wild JADE perch with all organs visible and NO fat
Below, is an aquacultured jade perch which has been fed on a diet perhaps a little too rich, no organs are visible through the fat
*Keeping the osmotic pressure, the salt in their cells, in freshwater fish is a constant battle and will result is serious stress to the fish if not managed by the grower, or hatchery operator. Fresh water fish constantly face two kinds of problems, they gain water passively through their skin due to osmotic gradient, and continually lose body salts to the surrounding water of much lower salt content. Osmoregulation in fresh water fish is affected by pumping out excess of water from their bodies. The salt loss through the excretion of water is made good by salt absorbing gills, skin and various parts of the alimentary canal.
The members area of this website has detailed information about jade perch, including growing and disease management
LIVE ARRIVAL GUARANTEE ?
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Why and when I guarantee live arrival
I do not guarantee live arrival for export shipments, however my packing protocols have been proven over more than 40 years of shipping commercial quantities of live fish.
Also, I conduct packing trials multiple times in every season to confirm my protocols.
Export shipments must be unpacked correctly to avoid acidosis.
Click to see unpacking commercial shipments playlist.Do I guarantee live arrival?
Generally no, however . . .
In some circumstances YES.
Usually for small orders sent by air on a "same day service" to Australian customers.
Conditions apply
This is an airport to airport service.
The customer must collect and unpack the fish on the day of shipping.
Conditions apply
- Your written quote must state,"Live arrival IS guaranteed"
- You must provide proof of losses on the day of arrival, not the next day, STRICTLY ON THE DAY OF ARRIVAL
- The proof must be in the form of clear, in focus, HD video at least 2 minutes long.
- The video must clearly show the gills of the fish so I can see that the fish are not breathing.
- The fish must be in the bag they were packed in sealed by us, (As they were packed.) not in your tank or any other container.
- Losses must be significant, not just a few fish.
- If we agree to replace the fish, all shipping costs must be paid by the customer before we send replacements.
- We don't sell boxes or freight, so I can only replace the fish.
- We will not replace fish if there was an issue that was not within our control.
Domestic shipments sent by road or overnight are never guaranteed.
All terms and conditions here Terms and conditions
Wholesale price list
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To see full size pictures, right click and open in new tab. My contact details are all here
Below are the current prices for commercial quantities.
Recommended maximum shipment quantity is 25,000 fry, however our capacity is up to 100,000 for a single shipment.
The recomended shipment size of 25,000 is because of the requirement to unpack correctly to manage acidosis.
See YouTube play listvideos on this subject.
For export shipments there is a minimum Australian dollar value of $3,000.
THE FOLLOWING PRICES APPLY TO BULK ORDERS OF JADE PERCH AND SILVER PERCH
Shipping costs are additional. Shipping information is here.
5,000 - $0.50
10,000 - $0.45
20,000 - $0.40
100,000 - $0.35
500,000 - $0..30
F1 fry are available for jade perch.
See this webpage for information about F1 fry Minimum order 10,000 tails. au$1.15 each.
I can ship to almost any country subject to local authority regulations.
Prices do NOT include any costs associated with shipping. For example, freight, packing, and documentation costs, including any health certification required by your authorities.
Note that we do not provide quotes to unconfirmed customers.
You will need to provide documentation that shows you are permitted to import the species into your country and advise us of what documentation your authorities require.
Once we are satisfied that an order is likely to proceed I we will obtain freight options and rates to your destination.
Email me for a quote to your nearest international airport. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Email me for a quote to your nearest international airport. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
When and why I do or do NOT guarantee live arrival.
Shipping information
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SHIPPING LIVE FISH
Over 40 years experience.
Almost any airport in Australia.
Depot to door in many areas of Australia.
I can send fish to almost any country, but you need to check what approvals you will need to import live fish.
Health certification can be provided including a Government issued health report (certificate) when required.
Minimum export value of au$3,000. PLUS all shipping costs.
Prices can be found here
I will provide a full delivered quote for confirmed orders.
For the best balance of fish for freight cost, fry size is the recommended.
Note the prices listed are fish only, shippng expenses are additional.
DOMESTIC CUSTOMERS delivery options
Road freight to you door or nearest freight depot from $104.00 per box up to 100 fish.
Live arrival NOT guaranteed.
Air freight, same day prioity airport to airport. From $120.00 per box.
Live arrival is guaranteed.
Pick up at Childers Queensland, 7 days a week.
$18.00 per box or no charge if you bring your own box
SALT AND YOUR FISH
Salt and fish - Why is salt so important ?
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The PERCH MAN ABN 42 065 149 145
"Salt, the aspirin of aquaculture."
Like aspirin helps humans with many ailments, headaches, toothaches, muscle aches, thins blood, minor aches and pains, fevers, inflammation, etc.Keeping the osmotic pressure, the salt in their cells, in freshwater fish is a constant battle and will result in serious stress to the fish if not managed by the grower, or hatchery operator. Freshwater fish constantly face two kinds of problems, they gain water passively through their skin due to osmotic gradient, and continually lose body salts to the surrounding water of much lower salt content. Osmoregulation in fresh water fish is affected by pumping out excess of water from their bodies.
The salt loss through the excretion of water is made good by salt absorbing gills, skin and various parts of the alimentary canal.
Salt is extremely beneficial to almost all freshwater fish, especially Australian native perch.
Over twenty years ago I referred to salt as the "aspirin of aquaculture".
The expression is now common in the industry.
Salt is essential for fish, particularly in tanks, and whenever any handling of fish is being carried out.
Some people believe the purging of the fish in salted water makes the flesh taste better.
For greater detail on the use of other chemicals to manage and treat disease go to the members area.
Like aspirin helps humans with many ailments, headaches, toothaches, muscle aches, thins blood, minor aches and pains, fevers, inflammation, etc. For fish, salt is a mild anaesthetic, an antifungal, a treatment for many parasites, a stress reducer, etc.
Keeping the osmotic pressure, the salt in their cells, in freshwater fish is a constant battle and will result in serious stress to the fish if not managed by the grower, or hatchery operator.
Freshwater fish constantly face two kinds of problems, they gain water passively through their skin due to osmotic gradient, and continually lose body salts to the surrounding water of much lower salt content.
Osmoregulation in fresh water fish is affected by pumping out excess of water from their bodies.
The salt loss through the excretion of water is made good by salt absorbing gills, skin and various parts of the alimentary canal.
Salt is extremely beneficial to almost all freshwater fish, especially Australian native perch.
Over twenty years ago I referred to salt as the "aspirin of aquaculture".
The expression is now common in the industry.
Salt is essential for fish, particularly in tanks, and whenever any handling of fish is being carried out.
Some people believe the purging of the fish in salted water makes the flesh taste better.
This is not scientifically supported.
There is no actual change in the texture, or flavour of the fish due to the salt content of the purging water.
Although the salt in the purging water is of great benefit to the fish, (I have always said salt is the aspirin of aquaculture, and should always be used when handling fresh water fish. In fact if a professional grower, or hatchery operator did not use salt, he makes things difficult for himself, and his fish.) it actually has no biological effect on the flesh.
The salt content of the fish's body, including the mussel tissue will always be the same through the fish's ability to *osmoregulate the salt in its body.
Jade and silver perch flesh undergo NO changes when kept in high levels of salt.
A little salt added to their water is extremely helpful. I recommend 2 to 5 parts per thousand, (ppt).
That's 2 to 5 grams per litre. A salt content of 10 ppt can result in stock losses for jade and silver perch.
The salt in the purging water does help the fish to purge their gut, and helps with parasite management.
It is also a mild antiseptic. It also acts as a mild anaesthetic keeping the fish calmer.
For greater detail on the use of other chemicals to manage and treat disease go to the members area.
Measure salt with one of these.
WATER PARAMETERS
Below is a list of links that explain various measurable water paramenters
pH explained
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pH SIMPLIFIED EXPLANATION
pH: Definition
pH is a measure of how acidic or alkaline water is.
The range goes from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral.
A pH of less than 7 indicate acidity, whereas a pH of greater than 7 indicates alkalinity.
pH is really a measure of the amount of free hydrogen (and hydroxyl) ions in the water.
Water that has more free hydrogen ions is acidic, whereas water that has more free hydroxyl ions is alkaline.
Since pH can be affected by chemicals in the water, pH is an important indicator of water that is changing chemically.
pH is measured in "logarithmic units".
Each number represents a 10-fold change in the acidity or alkalinity of the water.
Water with a pH of five is ten times more acidic than water having a pH of six.
The range goes from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral.
A pH of less than 7 indicate acidity, whereas a pH of greater than 7 indicates alkalinity.
pH is really a measure of the amount of free hydrogen (and hydroxyl) ions in the water.
Water that has more free hydrogen ions is acidic, whereas water that has more free hydroxyl ions is alkaline.
Since pH can be affected by chemicals in the water, pH is an important indicator of water that is changing chemically.
pH is measured in "logarithmic units".
Each number represents a 10-fold change in the acidity or alkalinity of the water.
Water with a pH of five is ten times more acidic than water having a pH of six.
Measure pH to estimate carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide can be measured directly with standard test kits.
Alternatively, measurement of pH can be used to estimate carbon dioxide concentration because carbon dioxide acts as an acid in water.
As carbon dioxide is added during the night, pH will decline.
Conversely, when carbon dioxide is removed during the day, pH will increase.
There are important interrelationships between carbon dioxide, pH and total alkalinity.
Knowing pH and total alkalinity will allow the estimation of carbon dioxide.
The colour of the test water is compared to a colour chart as shown below.
Bromothymol blue is a chemical pH indicator that changes colour based on the acidity or alkalinity of a solution, turning yellow in acidic conditions, blue in alkaline conditions, and green in neutral conditions (around pH 7).
Litmus paper can also be used to test pH. It shows whether a substance is acidic (red) or alkaline (blue), while pH indicator shows the strength of an acid or alkali with a range of colours.
The most accurate way to measure pH is with an electronic pH meter.
These devices come in many forms, some cheap, some expensive.
These devices come in many forms, some cheap, some expensive.
Cheap ones are usually slow to respond and are sometimes less accurate, and don’t last long.
Generally, the more you pay the better it is.
Pictured below is the one I am using at the moment.
It is a “pen type” but not a cheap one.
It’s not too expensive, about au$200.00 quick to respond, waterproof, measures temperature, and it is easy to calibrate.
In my opinion, most cheap pen types are a waste of money,
I bought this one in Australia, here. https://pureaquatics.com.au/
It comes in a sturdy case and is easy to read, and extra easy to calibrate.
CO2 and water pH
When carbon dioxide is dissolved in water, it lowers the pH.
The more CO2, the more it lowers the pH.
This is important to understand !
As CO2 levels increase around Earth, the amount of dissolved CO2 also increases.
(It increases the amount of carbonic acid, therefore decreasing the pH.)
An example of this can be seen in the pH of rainfall influenced by carbon dioxide.
As raindrops fall through the air, CO2 molecules interact creating carbonic acid in the raindrops, which lowers the pH of the rain drop.
Even though a pH value of 5.65 is acidic, it is not considered acid rain.
Normal and clean rain has a pH value between 5.0 and 5.5, while acid rain typically has a value of 4.0.
In aquaculture understanding that CO2 lowers the pH of your water is a tool you need to understand and use.
If the pH in a RAS is getting lower, then you know that your crop of fish is possibly getting to much biomass so you can take steps to prevent any losses.
What about a pond, mud or earth pond, and a lined pond?
With a pond, the pH will also be affected by the photosynthesis of the algae.
During daylight oxygen is released and CO2 is consumed, but at night it is the opposite, oxygen is consumed, and CO2 is released which lowers the pH.
So, if you measure the pH before the sun has an affect on the algae, very early in the morning, then again in the mid to late afternoon you will see the pH change.
Once again you can take steps to prevent losses.
If the pH is too low extra high oxygen is needed, which brings me to the next point . . .
pH when shipping fish
pH is a major factor when commercial quantities of fish are shipped in static water as in a bulk bin, or an airfreight box.
In these containers CO2 builds up and drops the pH, which, when fish are packed at commercial densities, will cause acidosis
In these containers CO2 builds up and drops the pH, which, when fish are packed at commercial densities, will cause acidosis
pH and underground water
In Australia I know this as bore water.
I use bore water regularly, but it MUST be degassed.
In almost all circumstances bore water has zero oxygen and very high CO2.
I use bore water regularly, but it MUST be degassed.
In almost all circumstances bore water has zero oxygen and very high CO2.
It can also contain methane and hydrogen sulphide gas.
Some of these gasses not have an odour.
Some of these gasses not have an odour.
If you can smell a rotten egg smell it is not a concern for you fish because degassing will remove all excess gases, including the gasses that cause the smell.
CO2 causes the pH to be very low.
After degassing the pH will settle at the “actual” pH of the water without the influence of the CO2.
CO2 causes the pH to be very low.
After degassing the pH will settle at the “actual” pH of the water without the influence of the CO2.
Also be aware that bore water can have a lot of variation in minerals, from zero, like the underground water I tested in Hong Kong, to extremely high, as it is from my own bore.
Below bore water before degassing.
Below the same bore water after degassing. A very big difference.
If I have added fish to this tank before degassing I risk losing them.
Remember they are "logarithmic units".
Each number represents a 10-fold change in the acidity or alkalinity of the water.
But it is not so much the pH that is of concern because Australian perch can handle big pH changes, it is actually the high CO2 that was causing the low pH that could have killed fish.
pH and water delivery pipes
Water that travels a long way in pipes can also have very low oxygen, and low pH.
Check the DO of the water as it comes out of the pipe.
If the DO is low, you will almost always also have low pH.
Check the DO of the water as it comes out of the pipe.
If the DO is low, you will almost always also have low pH.
Degassing is needed before adding to a tank of fish.
DO = dissolved oxygen
When is pH critical
How to determine the stocking density for a commercial jade perch pond
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This is a question I am asked frequently.
Density
• What density is safe for fingerlings and grow-out ponds?
I define a grow-out pond to be a dirt, or mud pond, with or without a liner.Not a "tank."
This is another one of those questions that does not have a definitive answer.
This is another one of those questions that does not have a definitive answer.
There are too many variables.
The short answer is "It depends . . . "
The long answer is:
Firstly, how skilled is the operator?
If he is highly skilled, more fish can be stocked.
Next is the management of water quality.
The most important is oxygen because critically low oxygen levels can result in major stock losses very rapidly.
Then comes PH management.
This is important for several reasons, but the one that can result in stock losses is having a high PH when high levels of ammonia are present.
Ponds have personalities, every pond can behave differently, even if they look the same and are right next to each other.
They can behave as differently as people.
Records should be kept to get to know how an individual pond will behave.
Then you can take actions that are appropriate for that particular pond's past behaviour.
I had 127 earth/mud ponds on my farm,
I found that ponds behave differently, even ponds that are adjacent to each other performed differently.
I always referred to the personality of a pond.
Detailed records will make you money !
To get the best from a pond, it should be stocked heavily, then monitor the water regularly at the same place/s at the same time/s, every day, especially oxygen.
Oxygen must be measured very early in the morning, well before the sun is directly on the water.
This is when oxygen will be at its lowest.
Feed the fish as much as they will eat, (demand feed) record how much food you put in the pond, as well as their feeding behaviour.
Eager feeding at first and slowly reducing as the fish filled their stomachs is what you are aiming for.
Stop feeding while they are still interested in eating so all the food is consumed. No waste.
Sample the fish regularly and weigh them so you can understand the FCR (Food Conversion Rate.)
You can expect the oxygen management to become more difficult to manage as the fish grow because the biomass in the pond is increasing.
Also there may be a reduction in the food conversion rate.
This is when it is time to reduce the number of fish in the pond. (Split the pond.)
With jade perch you may experience a big difference in sizes.
(This can happen with silver perch too, but it is more likely to happen with jade perch.)
This is one of the survival traits of Australian native freshwater fish.
Some fish will grow fast so they are ready to breed when conditions are good.
Some will be slow so they can breed if "good " conditions don't come for a long time, as happens in Australia.
The size variation can be reduced if the fish are fed regularly, especially if fed to satiation, (Feeding until they are full.) and the stocking density is maintained at high levels.
High stocking levels for jade perch is very important. Small jade perch can be consumed by larger fish.
The issue of predation reduces as the fish move from fingerling stage to small fish.
Usually once they reach 10cm predation ends.
Most important is keeping records. Record water quality parameters frequently.
These records are how to answer the question, "how many fish can I stock?"
Keep your records safe for future reference.
RAS - Recirculating Aquaculture System
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When is a RAS NOT a RAS? click here
RAS - Recirculating Aquaculture System - A simple description
I am not an expert on RAS so my comments here are based on lectures I've attended, places I have visited, and a little personal experience I have using simple systems for my fry and brood fish over a few decades.
The performance of any system can very much be affected by the species.
Jade perch are VERY different from other species.
They can be stocked at extraordinarily high densities compared to most other freshwater species, provided your system can cope with the waste products from the fish. Click for short video
Mechanical filtration
Generally meaning a method of separating solids.
This is an important component of a RAS filter system.
Generally meaning a method of separating solids.
This is an important component of a RAS filter system.
Not normally considered a stand alone filtration system.
Solids can be separated with a screen or a swirl filter.
A screen generally needs to be manually cleaned, a swirl filter is generally self cleaning.
Most commercial RAS systems also use a drum filter to separate solids.
A screen generally needs to be manually cleaned, a swirl filter is generally self cleaning.
Most commercial RAS systems also use a drum filter to separate solids.
Drum filters are also self cleaning.
Here is a link to a video, (Not one of my videos.) that will help you understand.
Chamber system (Often called a bio-filter, or biological filter.)
The main job of a RAS is to break down organic waste.
This is mostly done by the bacteria in the chamber of a RAS.
This waste is a by-product of the fish which is processed by bacteria in the chamber.
The bacteria breaks down ammonia into nitrite then into nitrate.
Ammonia is deadly to fish as is nitrite. Fish are ok in very high levels of nitrate.
Ammonia can be in two forms, ammonia which will kill fish and ammonium which is pretty much harmless to fish.
The key is to maintain the PH at low levels because ammonia is in the form of ammonium at low PH. More about ammonia here
The bacteria must have plenty of oxygen.
There are two main types of bacteria.
There are two main types of bacteria.
Bacteria that need oxygen and bacteria that doesn't need oxygen.
Anaerobic bacteria does not need oxygen. Aerobic bacteria are bacteria that need oxygen.
RASs rely on aerobic bacteria.
The system must provide plenty of oxygen, constantly, in order to maintain the aerobic bacteria in the system.
A little complicated to explain in greater detail here but I will explain briefly what aerobic bacteria needs.
It needs three main things.
1. food, which is the waste provided by the fish.
2. oxygen
3. somewhere to live, which is all about the surface area of the biomedium, another vital component of a bio filter.
It needs three main things.
1. food, which is the waste provided by the fish.
2. oxygen
3. somewhere to live, which is all about the surface area of the biomedium, another vital component of a bio filter.
Bio medium can be many different types of material.
The bigger the surface area the better.
Also it should allow the water fo flow freely and let air in to supply oxygen to the bacteria.
Bio balls (Below) are a common filter medium. Frequently used in a fluid bed system.
A rotary drum is specifically to reduce solids in a system. I see this being used at most of the facilities I have visited.
It is not an alternative to bio filtration, rather it is a component of the RAS.
What happens is the solids are trapped on a screen which is automatically backwashed as needed.
It is not an alternative to bio filtration, rather it is a component of the RAS.
What happens is the solids are trapped on a screen which is automatically backwashed as needed.
See the video link above.
Is ultra violet sterilization sufficient to maintain water quality?
In short, NO.
In short, NO.
Its main job is to kill harmful bacteria.
Not actually "filter" the water.
These is also a hazard to employees and they a difficult to maintain.
I prefer not to use them. (Just a personal preference.)
These is also a hazard to employees and they a difficult to maintain.
I prefer not to use them. (Just a personal preference.)
RAS hybrid system - RAS with some flow-through
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Is it good to have some water flowing through a RAS (Recirculation Aquaculture System.) ?
Simple answer is yes.
This is a RAS with some water flow-through from an external water source.
Effectively a hi-bred system, partly flow-through and partly RAS.
Having water flowing into a RAS from a trusted water source will dilute the nutrient load within the system thus taking the pressure off the entire filter system.
Effectively a hi-bred system, partly flow-through and partly RAS.
Having water flowing into a RAS from a trusted water source will dilute the nutrient load within the system thus taking the pressure off the entire filter system.
Also, assuming the water that is leaving the system comes from the main volume of water, not after any of the filtration elements, would also mean;
- Some of the solid waste is also being removed.
- Organic waste is being diluted.
- Any pheromones the fish may be adding to the water are being diluted. (This works well for silver perch grown in a RAS)
Things to be alert to are the potential to add harmful pathogens to the system.
The water supply needs to be under full control.
This potential is very much increased if the water source already has any aquatic life. E.G. fish, aquatic insects or life stages of insects, birds may have access to the water, rodents or any animals that could introduce pathogens, etc.
The water source may have an unreliable or unstable quality.
For example, if it is coming from a water body that is exposed to the environment it will be affected by weather conditions.
Heavy rain may cause changes to the water quality.
Algae will also cause considerable changes to the water quality.
Any inflow or run-off entering the water source, can have a detrimental effect on the water quality.
The water quality entering the RAS from an external water source may have no oxygen or even high undesirable dissolved gasses such as hydrogen sulfide caused by decomposition of organic matter.
The water source may have an unreliable or unstable quality.
For example, if it is coming from a water body that is exposed to the environment it will be affected by weather conditions.
Heavy rain may cause changes to the water quality.
Algae will also cause considerable changes to the water quality.
Any inflow or run-off entering the water source, can have a detrimental effect on the water quality.
The water quality entering the RAS from an external water source may have no oxygen or even high undesirable dissolved gasses such as hydrogen sulfide caused by decomposition of organic matter.
If the water is coming from underground this is much more likely to be the case.
Even if the water is coming from a pond or river supply which, when tested at the source is good, can change dramatically when it is traveling through a pipe line.
The longer the pipe, the greater the risk.
Just injecting oxygen to the pipe will not remove undesirable gasses.
If this is the situation, placing the water into a large water tank with very strong aeration will "de-gas" the supply making it safe to add to the RAS.
The storage tank should be close to the RAS to take advantage of this process.
Even if the water is coming from a pond or river supply which, when tested at the source is good, can change dramatically when it is traveling through a pipe line.
The longer the pipe, the greater the risk.
Just injecting oxygen to the pipe will not remove undesirable gasses.
If this is the situation, placing the water into a large water tank with very strong aeration will "de-gas" the supply making it safe to add to the RAS.
The storage tank should be close to the RAS to take advantage of this process.
Pond growing system compared to a R.A.S.
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These production systems ar e completely different.
With a RAS water quality monitoring is intensive, as is the system.
A RAS is expensive to operate, and has an extremely high potential to have a failure that can result in high stock losses.
Ponds are more forgiving allowing more time to respond to any issue.
Think of it like the shock absorber in a car.
The longer the shock absorber, the rougher terrain the vehicle can be used on. This is a pond.
There is more time to respond to an issue.
A short shock absorber can only handle small bumps. That is a RAS.
A small issue in a RAS needs a rapid response.
It doesn't really matter what the production system is, pond or RAS
You need to be aware of the limitations of whatever you are growing fish in.
You need to get an understanding about each unit's personality.
Ponds are particularly prone to individual personalities.
Monitoring water and keeping records is like being a psychiatrist and analysing a person's behavior traits.
This way you can build a behavior pattern so you can make predictions and make adjustments before anything becomes a problem.
Ponds should have water samples taken from several points.
The larger the pond the more monitoring points.
It is particularly probable that a large pond can have oxygen low points.
With a pond that has a regular, or constant water flow this is more important.
Dead spots can be more likely.
Also it is important to determine how much water flow/exchange is necessary.
This will help with understanding what the stocking densities should/could be.
Building knowledge of the water quality is how to determine the stocking density.
NO SUCH thing as "how many fish can I put in this system/pond."
It's about the system, and the operator.
Look at how many fish are in this RAS system. https://youtu.be/ZUVDTwQ6HcI
SUMMARY
Oxygen is critical and must be constantly monitored.
Ammonia is the next most important parameter to be highly vigilant to.
A RAS must have VERY GOOD monitoring systems.
The best would be a system that sends text messages to several people when there is a problem.
There should also be a battery powered alarm system with a LOUD alarm that can be heard at any time by people at the site.
There should always be someone on site, 24/7 to respond to an alarm.
There should always be someone available to be on site to attend to a failure within a few minutes.
(Depending how long the fish will survive, this may be as little as 5 minutes.)
Staff need to be well trained to respond to whatever reason has activated the alarm.
A RAS is expensive to operate. Electricity is usually the highest cost.
Labour is usually the next highest cost.
For ponds, there is usually no need for an alarm system, depending on stocking density.
If the stocking density is very high, an alarm may be necessary should the aeration system fail.
More critical at night when photosynthesis is consuming oxygen.
Stocking densities are much lower allowing plenty of time to respond to any issue.
I like to compare a RAS and a pond to watching a video.
A pond is the slow motion version of a RAS which is playing at more than double normal speed.
Pond or mud flavour
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FLAVOURS DESCRIBED AS EARTHY OR MUSTY
I am sure you have heard people say they don't like the taste of freshwater fish.
The biggest criticism regarding the taste of freshwater fish is usually, "they have a muddy or earthy taste," or they have a "musky pond flavour."
These are often called "off-flavour" in the aquaculture industry.
If you are not aware, Australian freshwater fish are commercially farmed in many countries.
So, what causes these flavours, and what can be done about it?
It's usually because freshwater fish "drink," get their freshwater from swallowing some, but also through their gills and skin.
This means they will sometimes take in any flavour influencing taints that are in the water.
The science behind all of this is way too complicated to go into here, but if you really want to know check these links.
To really simplify this I'll ignore all the VAST detail and just say, "this is usually caused by a couple of compounds produced by algae." Even if the water is clear, these compounds can still be present.
Below, a picture taken from the top of a hill showing 1 acre ponds in Malaysia that breed and grow jade and silver perch.
What do commercial farms do?
Consumers demand perch that have a delicate sweet flavour.
Fish that have undesirable flavours are not marketable.
Off-flavours in fish present no danger to consumers, but off-flavoured fish sold in the marketplace, can result in the reputation of freshwater fish having unplesent "off-flavour."
While pond management can under certain circumstances, decrease the incidence of off-flavours, in most production systems the perch must be purged.
Perch are held in a purging system or holding tank where they are held for about a week, depending on conditions.
Fish held in very clean water will "purge" the off flavour.
Clean water will eliminate off-flavours.
Also, salt (5-10 ppt) is included in the purging water to reduce stress, to prevent fungal infections and kill ectoparasites.
The salt has no effect on the taste of the fish.
This is based on science.
Freshwater fish do not change flavour when held in salted water.
They regulate the amount of salt in the tissue through a process called "osmoregulation." If you want all the complicated science click here So, when you buy silver perch, jade perch, or Murray cod at a restaurant it should taste great.
If it doesn't, the farm did not purge correctly.
Here is a little more information for commercial growers.
What can you do?
You have fish in your dam and you want to enjoy the eating quality after all the time spent waiting for them to grow.
Catch and try one fish.
If the water is very clear, the fish will probably taste good, if it doesn't, you can purge them yourself if you have a tank with water that you can keep clean.
If you can't purge yourself, then try another fish after some time has passed.
Sometimes you might just have to wait longer.
Eventually the fish will have the perfect taste.
Now is the time to catch a few and freeze some for later. But don't forget to eat one NOW !
For the commercial operator
Like most freshwater fish species jade perch can develop off flavour.
This is because chemicals are concentrated in the fat of the fish that come from the water they live in.
The fat tissues in the fish absorb compounds released by blue green algae in the ponds.
The off flavour can vary from season to season depending on algae blooms.
Off flavour can even happen to fish in RAS systems, (Recirculating Aquaculture Systems.)
This is because chemicals are concentrated in the fat of the fish that come from the water they live in.
The fat tissues in the fish absorb compounds released by blue green algae in the ponds.
The off flavour can vary from season to season depending on algae blooms.
Off flavour can even happen to fish in RAS systems, (Recirculating Aquaculture Systems.)
In recirculating systems, the off-flavour can come from the filter system.
Fish in aquaculture systems that use surface waters, (Usually not from well, or bore water.) can have earthy/muddy/musty taints even if algae is not in the aquaculture facility
The most common off-flavors are caused by metabolites of blue-green algae.
These off-flavors are typically referred to as “musty” from 2-methyli-soborneol (MIB) and “muddy” from geosmin.
A wide range of algae species have been identified as producing off flavour.
Fish in aquaculture systems that use surface waters, (Usually not from well, or bore water.) can have earthy/muddy/musty taints even if algae is not in the aquaculture facility
The most common off-flavors are caused by metabolites of blue-green algae.
These off-flavors are typically referred to as “musty” from 2-methyli-soborneol (MIB) and “muddy” from geosmin.
A wide range of algae species have been identified as producing off flavour.
The two most common organisms responsible for the production of these compounds are cyanobacteria and actinomycetes.
F1 FINGERLINGS AND FRY
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F1 fry and fingerlings are available for jade perch and golden perch produced from wild fish collected in the Barcoo River.
What does F1 stand for in biology.
F1 stands for the first generation seeds/plants or animal offspring. (From wild.)
F1 is a term used for fry produced directly from wild fish.
F1 fry/fingerlings are only available from Australia for Australian native fish.
F1 fry must be ordered before the end of August.
When I supply F1 fry, I guarantee they are F1, I also provide the collection location where the individual fish were captured, and the date they were captured.
I also provide the individual micro chip numbers of each fish that was used to produce the fry I supply.
You can trust me to be supplying genuine F1 because I will provide all these details.
F1 fry are available for jade perch. Minimum order 10,000 tails. au$1.15 each.
BELOW Collecting jade perch in 2024 at the Barcoo river.
What are F1 fish used for?
In my case, I take a wild fish, and a line bred fish, that has been selectively bred for generations, then spawn them. F1 fish should be grown and conditioned for breeding with your line bred fish.
Use the F1 fish to reinvigorate the gens of your existing breeders.
Breeding F1 to F1 defeats the purpose of linebreeding.
Also, the fish you received as F1 are probably brothers and sisters, so it would be bad practice to breed F1 over F1.
If you have received two shipments of F1 fish this should be OK, provided the microchip numbers are different, and you grew each batch separately.
In this case having me provide you with microchip numbers is a real advantage.
You can order a special batch of F1 fry and ask me to use different fish to your first batch.
Easily done when you tell me the microchip numbers of the first batch, so I can choose different breeders.
Some video are only availabel to Premium Clients only, click for details.
GOLDEN PERCH FOR AQUACULTURE
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GOLDEN PERCH FOR AQUACULTURE
Golden perch are a good species for aquaculture in some circumstances.
Other names for these species, in Australia are yellow belly, and callop.
This video is the species from the Lake Eyre Basin.
These are wild fish caught in the Barcoo River under governmant permit.
They are to be used as breeders for the supply of fingerlings to commercial fiah farms.
Most important is the understanding that there are three species of golden perch, but only ONE is suitable for aquaculture.
The species from the Lake eyre Basin is the only one that research done by the Queensland Government indicated that this species is suitable.
The other two species are slow growers and are not commercially viable because they are quite slow growing.
THE THREE SPECIES
Macquaria ambigua ambigua, Murray Darling River Basin
Macquaria ambigua oriens, Fitzroy Dawson river Basins
Macquaria Sp.(Undescribed)
The Lake Eyre species is relatively easy to wean to dry aquaculture pellets.
More information can be found here.
My fish will already be weaned when I send them to you.
CULTURE METHOD
This fish is not suitable for open pond culture.
It is ideal for RAS (Recirculation Aquaculture System), cages, or raceways.
These fish need to be crowded so they can not become terratorial.
This will supress their natural predatiry behavour.
WATER CHEMISTRY DEFINITIONS
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WATER CHEMISTRY DEFINITIONS FOR USE IN AQUACULTURE
Managing the chemistry and quality of water used for aquaculture can have an enormous effect on the well-being of fish, and therefore the productivity of ponds.
The following definitions and explanations are supplied to help understand more fully, some of the terminology used in aquaculture.
Total Hardness / General Hardness (GH) Short Definition: Dissolved calcium and magnesium.
Explanation
Total Hardness is a measurement of both permanent & temporary hardness; i.e. compounds of calcium and magnesium, including bicarbonates and carbonates, expressed as calcium carbonate in mg/L. A few other ions add to water hardness, but they are usually not present in significant quantities.
Hard water can be recognised by the difficulty of getting soap to lather.
In aquaculture, hardness levels can have a significant effect on hatch rates, growth, and overall well-being of fishes.
Fish can absorb calcium, which is essential for growth, directly from the water.
Total hardness is frequently referred to as General Hardness (GH) in aquarium literature, and on test kit labels.
Total hardness test kits usually measure hardness in parts per million (ppm), which for our purpose, is essentially equal to milligrams per litre (mg/L).
European test kits generally measure hardness in German degrees of hardness (dH).
Each German degree is equivalent to 17.9ppm
Total hardness levels of between 20-300ppm are considered acceptable for pond fish culture, but many species can tolerate levels well in excess of this.
Temporary Hardness / Carbonate Hardness (KH) Short Definition: Carbonates and bicarbonates of calcium and magnesium.
Explanation:
Temporary Hardness is the same as Carbonate Hardness (KH).
It is that part of total hardness that is caused by calcium and magnesium being dissolved by carbonic acid (carbon dioxide in water); in other words carbonates and bicarbonates of calcium and magnesium.
These compounds are the most common cause of alkalinity in natural waters.
Water with a high KH is considered strongly buffered and resists becoming acid.
A good example of temporary hardness is seen in the common problem of “scale” in water pipes, hot water services, and kettles, in hard water areas.
This “scale” is a direct result of calcium and magnesium salts precipitating out of solution as carbon dioxide levels drop, usually as a result of water being heated.
Aquatic plants utilize dissolved carbon dioxide as their primary source of carbon during photosynthesis.
Once the dissolved carbon dioxide has been used up, carbonates and bicarbonates become the source of carbon.
At night and on cloudy days the process is reversed as plants produce carbon dioxide and the carbonate and bicarbonate balance is restored.
This process of using and generating carbon dioxide causes the pH of water to fluctuate, however under most circumstances the presence of temporary hardness will moderate the severity of the pH swings. (See “use of lime” below)
KH or alkalinity test kits usually give a good indication of carbonate hardness levels (see below for details)
Temporary hardness / carbonate hardness levels of between 20-200ppm (even up to 300ppm) are considered acceptable for pond fish culture.
Potential problem with KH test kits.
Most KH test kits actually measure total alkalinity, of which KH is only a part.
These kits use an acid to titrate alkalinity in water samples; this measures the waters capacity to neutralize acid.
Alkalinity is usually similar to KH because the majority of alkalinity in natural waters is caused by carbonate hardness.
But it is possible to have water with a high alkalinity that contains little or no carbonate hardness.
For example, if one adds an alkaline phosphate to water as a buffer, the alkalinity increases and the KH test kit will give you a higher reading, but the true KH (temporary or carbonate hardness) will not have increased.
KH test kits are still a very valuable tool, but it’s important to remember they measure total alkalinity, and really should be labelled this way.
Many people rely on establishing the carbon dioxide level of water by using the commonly available table showing the relationship between pH, KH, and carbon dioxide. As explained previously, if “basic salts” (hydroxides), other than carbonates and bicarbonates of calcium and magnesium are present, the true KH can’t be established using a normal (KH) alkalinity test, and therefore the carbon dioxide values, as shown on the chart, become inaccurate.
Temporary Hardness (true KH) can be accurately measured by the following method.
1/ Measure Total Hardness (GH)
2/ Then boil the original sample for 5 to 10 minutes (boil sufficient water so a large proportion does not evaporate). Cover tightly so as to exclude carbon dioxide from the air, and allow sample to cool.
3/ Allow any precipitation to settle (or filter it out).
4/ Measure GH again. (This second measurement is the Permanent Hardness)
5/ Subtract the second reading from the first (Permanent Hardness minus Total Hardness) = Temporary Hardness (true KH)
Permanent Hardness Short Definition: Salts of calcium and magnesium, other than carbonates and bicarbonates.
Explanation:
Permanent hardness is also referred to as non-carbonate hardness; it is the salts of calcium and magnesium that cannot be removed from a solution by boiling.
As explained previously, a few other ions add to water hardness, but are usually in insignificant quantities.
Permanent hardness of water is ascertained by boiling the sample as described in steps 2, 3, & 4 above. It is the Hardness or GH reading, taken after boiling.
Measuring permanent hardness of aquaculture water is normally un-necessary, but is mentioned here for completeness.
Alkalinity / Buffering Capacity Short Definition: The capacity of water to neutralize acid.
Explanation:
Water with a high alkalinity is likely to contain ions of bicarbonates, carbonates and hydroxides.
It has a strong buffering capacity, and is much less likely to undergo sudden pH drops or violent pH fluctuations.
On the other hand, it is difficult to lower the pH of large volumes of such water if the need arises (although it can be done using strong acids).
That part of alkalinity that is made up of carbonate and bicarbonate salts of calcium and magnesium, is known as temporary hardness, or true carbonate hardness (KH), as determined by the boiled water method described above.
Dissolved carbon dioxide will cause pH of water to drop, but the alkalinity / KH will remain the same.
Alkalinity (or a KH reading) is one of the most important water quality parameters to measure as it shows the underlying alkalinity of water, excluding the effect of carbon dioxide.
In other words, pH will drop as carbon dioxide increases, but alkalinity (KH) reading remains relatively constant.
Expelling the carbon dioxide, say through aeration, will allow the pH to rise, returning to its starting point.
If substantial quantities of aquatic plants and algae are present, water with a high alkalinity but low temporary hardness, is likely to become dangerously alkaline during periods of high photosynthesis (carbon dioxide removal by algae and plants). See note on use of lime below.
Alkalinity is determined by a test involving acid titration (the method employed in most KH test kits).
The units of measurement are parts per million (ppm), or milli-equivalents per litre (meq/L). One meq/L = 50ppm. Alkalinity levels of 20-300ppm are considered acceptable for pond fish culture.
pH Short definition: A measurement of how strongly acid or basic (alkaline) water is.
Explanation:
pH is measured on a logarithmic scale of 0 to 14, with the centre point 7.0 considered neutral.
For every decrease of one degree, the acidity increases ten fold. E.g. a pH of 5.0 is ten times more acid than pH 6.0
Water in aquaculture systems, if not sufficiently buffered, will tend to become acid as a result of biological processes.
Water with a high alkalinity or high KH will naturally tend to be basic, and resist becoming acid.
See notes on alkalinity / KH above, and use of lime below.
The pH of ponds is usually lower in the morning, due to increased carbon dioxide levels, and higher late in the day, due to uptake of carbon dioxide by plants and algae.
pH can be tested using simple aquarium test kits, dip and read test strips, or electronic testers or meters. (Electronic meters must be calibrated regularly).
Fish kept at a pH of less than 6 and over 9, are likely to be stressed, grow more slowly, and be susceptible to disease.
USE OF LIME (In ponds)
Agricultural lime, which is mostly calcium carbonate, is highly recommended for use in earth ponds where pH is low (below 6) and alkalinity is low, under 20 or even 40ppm.The solubility of calcium carbonate increases as the pH decreases.
Liming raises low pH levels, and minimises dangerously high pH spikes due to plant material removing carbon dioxide during photosynthesis in waters of low temporary hardness. Under the above mentioned conditions, if for example sodium bicarbonate is used as a buffer, the pH may rise to dangerous levels of 11 or more.
Generally, lime should be used for earth ponds, and shell grit or coral rubble for tanks.
The use of lime (and fertilizers) has been shown to substantially increase productivity of ponds with low alkalinity. Ammonia becomes more toxic in alkaline water, and this needs to be considered before fertilizers are added, or any changes are made to pH.
Detailed instructions on liming and fertilizing are beyond the scope of this article, and the reader is recommended to refer to appropriate literature.
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) & Osmoregulation
Short definitions: TDS is a measurement of all mineral substances that have dissolved in water. (Sometimes referred to as ionic strength)
Osmoregulation is the physiological process that maintains the proper balance of salts between the inside of the fish and the water it is living in.
Explanation:
Most fish cannot survive for long in distilled water, and most freshwater fish cannot live in sea water.
Between these extremes we see that fresh water fish have a variable tolerance for dissolved minerals.
Therefore keeping fish in water of the appropriate TDS level for the species, will minimise effort required by the fish to osmoregulate, and therefore minimise stress.
In waters of low ionic strength, the addition of sodium chloride (common salt) has been commonly used for quickly and safely raising TDS for holding, treating, and transporting fish.
Testing TDS, (sometimes measured as conductivity) is the only practical method for quickly and efficiently getting a good indication of the level of all salts and minerals dissolved in water.
This is an extremely useful test, and electronic TDS testers or meters, are usually very reliable, economical, and easy to use.
As with all electronic testing equipment, they need to be calibrated as specified.
TDS levels ranging between 100 and 2000ppm are considered suitable for grow out, and most aquaculture applications, but many species can be cultured at levels much higher than these.
Oxygen (O2) or Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Short definition: Oxygen sustains all aerobic life, and its availability is a critical factor in aquaculture.
Explanation:
Oxygen, which makes up 20.9% of air, diffuses slowly from the atmosphere into water.
Agitating the water and creating ripples at the surface by means of aeration or paddle wheels is a proven method of increasing dissolved oxygen and expelling carbon dioxide.
Plants and algae also contribute to oxygen levels during daylight hours due to photosynthesis.
But plants also respire, consuming oxygen and producing carbon dioxide, which can adversely affect ponds at night.
For every 1 gram of oxygen consumed by fish, 1.4 grams of carbon dioxide is produced.
To sustain fish life, sufficient oxygen must be available in the water at all times, to enter the fishes’ blood through the gills.
Fish held at low oxygen levels have been shown to be more susceptible to disease, feed less, and grow more slowly.
Low oxygen may be experienced from some underground water sources, under overcrowded conditions, in a polluted environment, after an algae crash, during hot or still and cloudy weather (particularly at night) and during transportation.
Dissolved oxygen levels can be measured on site, using chemical test kits, but using the more expensive electronic oxygen meters, is considered a better method.
Fish gasping at the surface often indicates oxygen depletion.
The solubility of oxygen reduces as temperature of water rises and salinity increases.
Seawater contains approximately 25% less oxygen than freshwater.
Oxygen levels in pure water at saturation are about 11ppm at 10 degrees C, and 8ppm at 25 degrees C.
Levels approaching 4ppm are considered stressful, and between 4 and 0ppm deadly. (Depending on the species.)
For normal health and growth, oxygen levels should be kept above 5ppm, and preferably close to saturation.
Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD)
Biological oxygen demand measurements are generally used to ascertain the degree of water pollution.
BOD is a measurement of how much oxygen is consumed in a given water sample, held at 20 degrees C over a fixed time.
This test is normally carried out by specialised water testing laboratories.
High BOD indicates high levels of waste biological products (organics) e.g. high levels of bacteria, algae, zooplankton etc. BOD measurements are not often used by fish farmers.
Knowing the oxygen level, and what percentage that is of saturation, is much more useful information.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) Short definition:
Carbon dioxide accumulates in water as a result of respiration by aerobic life.
Explanation:
When fish respire, carbon dioxide leaves the blood and enters the water through the gills.
It then accumulates, or is taken up by plants and algae (by photosynthesis during daylight hours), or expelled at the water / air, interface. Aeration, (agitating the water) helps expel dissolved carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Because dissolved carbon dioxide competes with oxygen for space in fishes’ blood, CO2 levels of 20-30ppm reduce the oxygen carrying capacity of fish blood by up to 50%.
Dissolved carbon dioxide forms carbonic acid and in un-buffered water can reach a pH as low as 4.5.
As previously mentioned, water with high carbonate hardness is considered well buffered, and is less likely to undergo dramatic pH swings.
High or toxic concentrations of free carbon dioxide are seldom found in alkaline surface water (above pH 7.0).
Carbon dioxide is neutralized in the presence of bicarbonates or carbonates and is then not toxic to fish.
Bicarbonates and carbonates act as a “carbon dioxide storage unit”.
In daylight, plants take up the stored carbon dioxide and at night it is replaced, due to the respiration of fish, plants, and other aquatic life.
Carbon dioxide may reach dangerous levels in underground or bore water, in heavily stocked acid water, in transport water, and at night or on cloudy days in ponds with high levels of algae or aquatic plants.
Decomposing organic matter (i.e. algae crash) is another major source of CO2 in ponds and aquaria.
Free carbon dioxide can be measured using chemical test kits, or can be ascertained from the commonly available chart showing the relationship between carbonate hardness, pH, and carbon dioxide. (If the KH is high, and the pH is low, carbon dioxide is usually high)
Carbon dioxide levels above 40-50ppm are considered dangerous, particularly if oxygen levels are low.
Lots more to learn
This is by no means an exhaustive list of terms used in aquaculture.
Fish farmers can gain enormous benefits by understanding the environment our aquatic life inhabits.
Knowing when, and how to alter just one or two factors, can swing a farm from struggling to success, in merely a season or two.
Food for your fish
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The PERCH MAN ABN 42 065 149 145
FOOD FOR PERCH
To order fish food email: bruce@theperchman.com
Silver perch and Jade perch definitely are NOT vegetarian, they are in fact omnivores.
They will eat almost anything, animal or vegetable!
My food is exactly the same as used by commercial perch farms in Australia.
You can order as little as 1kg.
You can order as little as 1kg.
Food is $15.00 per KG.
I can send the food with your fingerling order.
For optimum quality and shelf life fish food should be stored, below 20c, off the floor, in a cool dry place, in a well-ventilated area, and away from direct sunlight.
For optimum quality and shelf life fish food should be stored, below 20c, off the floor, in a cool dry place, in a well-ventilated area, and away from direct sunlight.
My fish food is a commercial native diet used by commercial perch farms in Australia.
Native diets have been developed based on scientific research conducted in Australia, and delivers to the specific requirements of Perch, Murray Cod and other freshwater species.
Native diets have been developed based on scientific research conducted in Australia, and delivers to the specific requirements of Perch, Murray Cod and other freshwater species.
“Native” diets are cost efficient commercial diets designed for Australian native freshwater grow-out in ponds, cages, and raceway operations, with ingredients that are safe, sustainable and Certified. Produced for performance and optimal fish growth and health.
When changing sizes of food, as you need to do as the fish grow, mix the new size food with the old at about 50/50 gradually reducing the amount of the smaller food over a period of days.
Following this process will help reduce the coefficient of variation in size of fish.
Special note
Over many years, silver and jade perch have been tested for Omega-3 content of their flesh.
Special note
Over many years, silver and jade perch have been tested for Omega-3 content of their flesh.
These tests consistently show these two fish have exceptionally high Omega-3 content.
However, these tests also showed that this omega-3 level can be considerably influenced by the type of food used to grow the fish.
Feed care and storage
Feed should be kept out of direct sunlight and as cool as possible.
Vitamins, proteins, and lipids are especially heat sensitive, and can be readily denatured by high storage temperatures.
High moisture stimulates mold growth and feed decomposition.
Feed should not be stored longer than 90 to 100 days.
Feed should not be stored longer than 90 to 100 days.
Older feed should be used first, and all feed should be regularly inspected for mold prior to feeding.
All moldy feed should be discarded immediately.
Mice, rats, roaches and other pests should be strictly controlled in the feed storage area, because they consume and contaminate feed and transmit diseases.
How much food should you feed your fish ?
The research done in the past for commercial producers advised commercial farmers to feed at the daily rate of 2% of the body weight of the fish.
How much food should you feed your fish ?
The research done in the past for commercial producers advised commercial farmers to feed at the daily rate of 2% of the body weight of the fish.
This is a "general" guide not a rule.
Don’t be in a hurry to increase the size of the pellet.
The surface area of the pellet that is in contact with the digestive acids in greater for a small pellet.
I can tell you from decades of personal experience, that silver and jade perch can secrete undigested food.
A larger surface area means this should be less likely to happen because the fish’ digestive acid can get to more of the pellet when they are small rather than large pellets.
Perch, particularly jade perch will grow on a vegetarian diet.
In the case of jade perch their diet should lean towards vegetables as the water temperature drops below 22c.
Below 20c feeding should be sparing, perhaps two or three times a week.
Below 18c never feed them to satiation. Pellets consumed at these low temperatures could harm the health of jade perch.
I have collected many jade perch from the wild during winter.
The wild fish always excrete undigested filamentous algae in winter.
For your interest, in the early days I fed all my fish day old bread.
The bakeries disposed of day old bread, and I was able to get it from them.
These days that is not permitted.
I have also learned much about fish food and now know this is a bad diet for them.
However, the fish just loved it.
Like fairy floss, (Cotton candy.) to a child they just loved it, but too much was bad for them..
This link is for commercial producers Detailed information about food and Australian perch.
BARRAMUNDI (Also known as Sea Bass)
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Tony Sambell with a nice big barramundi he caught in our dam
Click for video of baby barramund
The barramundi or Asian sea bass, is widely distributed in the Indo-West Pacific region from South Asia to Papua New Guinea and Northern Australia.
Barramundi is an Aboriginal word meaning large-scaled river fish.
They have been caught well over 40 kilo.
There is no doubt barramundi are one of the most popular and well known of Australia's sport fish.
Barramundi need to reach the mouth of rivers to spawn.
All barramundi are born as males.
They spend the early part of their lives in fresh water until they reach sexual maturity.
They then migrate down stream to the mouth of the river system where they meet the females, most of which have been living in the sea. They spawn in the salt water then some of the males will follow the females out to sea and some will go back to the river.
The males which go out to sea will change to females.
Even barramundi which are unable to go out to sea will still change into females.
You should think very carefully before stocking your farm dam with barramundi.
Their demand for food is difficult to meet.
They need a good supply of live food, such as small fish, shrimp, crayfish etc.
They do not forage for food or eat aquatic vegetation.
One of the biggest problems will be when you want to add more fingerlings to your dam.
Any barramundi remaining from earlier stockings will make a meal of the new fingerlings, of any species, which you introduce to you dam. Barramundi are generally not suitable for small dams.
Larvae
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How to Handle Larvae
Apart from being physically delicate the larvae are actually quite robust.
They will tolerate very low dissolved oxygen, (DO), a wide PH range, are also tolerant to relatively sudden temperature variation, within reason.
The larvae will die if you use nets.
They will also die if they are shaken, such as rough road or dropped box.
Do NOT use nets to transfer the larvae.
I have tested many methods of transferring larvae with nets and all but one failed.
The one successful method could not be repeated!
On arrival, the packing water will have high dissolved oxygen.
It is important that the oxygen level be reduced to "normal" slowly.
The tried and proven method is to open the bags, and, from the tank or pond you intend to release the larvae into, gradually add your water over a period of about half an hour until the water you have added is about four times the amount of water they are packed in.
Your pond or tank water should have a dissolved oxygen, (DO) level of at least 8ppm.
While doing this monitor the oxygen in the bags to watch that it does not drop too low.
Once the DO is about the same as your water, add the bag of water with the larvae to your tank or pond.
Do not pour the larvae. You can scoop the water and larvae from the bags and lower the scoop into the tank or pond but you must not pour the larvae.
You can also lower the bag into the tank or pond and carefully, “slip” the bag out of the water.
Once again do not pour the water with the larvae from the bags.
The temperature in your pond or tank should be within 3 degrees Celsius.
I am often asked how to raise Jade Perch or Silver Perch larvae?
Hatcheries in Australia raise larvae of many species of freshwater fish in plankton ponds.
Larvae are introduced the into plankton ponds about three or four days after they hatch.
Recently I developed methods for tank rearing perch larvae.
Eggs usually take about 24 hours to hatch.
I place our larvae in a tank in a dark room and shine a light in one side of the tank, if they all go to the light, this is when we put them in a large pond, we call a plankton pond.
They should be attracted to light at day 3 and ready for food by day 4.
This will change when the temperatures are higher or lower.
Once they are attracted to light they can avoid predators in the pond.
The pond is dried and then filled before the larvae are placed in the pond.
This way there is plenty of zooplankton and not too many predators.
I reduce the predators by passing the water through a 300 micron screen when filling the pond.
Depending on temperature I fill the pond 1-2 days before I introduce the larvae.
It is widely accepted that fresh water rotifer is most probably their preferred first food.
I use a half acre to one acre ponds, about 2 to 3 ML, which I fertilize and stock with 300,000 to 500,000 larvae.
The industry average return of fry from a plankton pond is abou 30% Sometimes I get up to 200,000 fry back, sometimes as low as 80,000.
Perch fingerlings are weaned in ponds.
From about day 10-14 I start feeding our fingerling ponds with a commercial feed in dust form.
At this stage they are about 10mm long.
By about day 20-25 most of the fry are feeding at the surface.
By now they are about 20mm It takes 6 to 10 weeks to grow the larvae to 4-5cm.
They are fed twice daily until they are ready to harvest.
The food contains about 52% crude protein, 12% crude fat, and 1.6% crude fiber.
Silver perch and Jade perch larvae are AUD$0.112 each, with a minimum purchase of 300,000.
Golden perch F1 larvae (Lake Eyre species.) $0.145 cents each. Minimum purchase 50,000.
WARNING - This product is recommended for skilled commercial operators only.
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WANT TO BE A FISH FARMER ?
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The PERCH MAN ABN 42 065 149 145
SO, YOU WANT TO BE A FISH FARMER Your Water is Worth More Than You Think !
Read this page first, then see this link about the members area.
I once had a visit from the Israeli aquaculture department.
He was looking at the Australian aquaculture industry.
During his visit to my fish hatchery in Queensland, he made the comment that, “Australia does so little with so much.”
By that he meant that we did not use our precious water to its fullest potential.
In a country like Israel water is liquid gold.
They can’t afford the luxury of only using their water resources once.
Your water is worth more than you think.
You can easily use the water from your fishponds or tanks to grow vegetables.
Whether you need to use your water more than once, or not, there are still questions to be asked.
• There are several Australian freshwater fish that are ideal species for aquaculture
What fish is best for your situation?
• Do you realise that you are starting a business?
Many people have entered aquaculture without realising they are starting a new business.
It’s not just a “side line”, it’s a business on its own.
You need to consider, do you have the time to manage another business on top of your existing agricultural activities?
• Do you have the necessary skills to grow fish?
Probably not, but they can be learned.
Do you have the time and commitment to learn a new skill?
Let’s look at each question, so you have an idea if you have what it takes to become, a fish farmer.
Planning is essential ! Can I help ?
Factors to consider.
Which fish should you choose, the culture method and the climate in your area?
There are three main ways to grow fish, extensively in ponds, or intensively in ponds, or highly intensively in tanks.
Extensively in ponds means no feeding, or very little feeding with very low stocking density.
The number of fish in the pond is so low that it is unlikely that the fish will have any affect on the water quality.
This is much like nature.
A lake or river has a natural number of fish that can survive under normal conditions.
There is little risk that fish can die.
Intensively in ponds, means the fish are fed regularly, and the water is usually aerated to keep the oxygen at opium levels for fish growth.
The water quality is managed to keep the fish in suitable conditions to grow at a commercial rate.
There is a higher risk that fish can die.
Intensively in tanks, means the fish are kept and grown in a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) designed to handle high stocking densities, and high feeding rates.
Most water quality parameters are constantly monitored.
The water is filtered through sophisticated systems.
Pure oxygen is often directly injected into the water.
There is much higher risk that fish can die.
If your climate does not suit the fish species you must be able to manage the conditions to suit the fish.
This can only be done economically in tanks, in an insulated shed, using a RAS.
In a RAS you are able to control the fish’s environment completely, from the temperature to the oxygen level in the water. A RAS is expensive to set up, and expensive to operate, but it does allow you to culture a very large number of fish in a relatively small area.
A RAS should only be chosen if you really know what you are doing.
They are highly technical and unforgiving, both biologically and financially.
A RAS is ideal for growing -
and sleepy cod
There may be a few other species, which could also prove suitable for production in a RAS, but the species listed above have already proven themselves.
(Only Australian native freshwater fish are listed.)
The other method of production is in ponds.
Pond production is more forgiving and generally cheaper to operate.
They are also much cheaper to build.
The limiting factor is your climate.
The species you choose to grow must be suitable for your climate.
For cooler climates, silver perch are best.
For warm climates, jade perch or silver perch.
For tropical climates, jade perch, silver perch or barramundi.
Yes, silver perch can be grown in a tropical climate in some circumstances.
Murray cod are a species that prefer cooler climates and crowded conditions.
Crowding is necessary because this species is territorial.
When crowded they can’t form territories.
These factors make Murray cod a better species for a RAS.
Choosing to enter into aquaculture is choosing to open a new business.
It’s not a “side line” or a hobby.
In most jurisdictions you will need to get a permit or licence to grow fish commercially.
In all situations you will need to know how to produce a good quality product and most important, how to market your product.
A poor-quality product will not get you a good price, and you will soon gain a bad reputation.
Consistent supply is also important.
Customers need to know they can count on your ability to provide quality product throughout the year.
Also you will need to know how to get your product ready for market.
Fish need to be “market prepared.
” Fresh water fish can have a muddy, or musky flavour if not properly prepared for market.
This is known as “off flavour” or pond flavour.
Professional fish farmers know how to prepare their fish so they don’t have “off flavour.”
You will need a purging system, appropriate harvesting equipment, water testing equipment, and a suitable supply of quality water.
You must have this Essential equipment
You probably won’t already know how to keep fish and grow them efficiently, and profitably.
Learning how to do this is essential.
There are many ways to do this.
You could employ a manager to run your fishy business who already has the experience needed.
You can also talk to people who are already in the finfish business, but whatever you do, don’t start to build your fish business until you have studied the subject thoroughly.
You can start right here on this website.
YouTube is also a good source of information.
For example the jadeperchman channel has three levels of information.
There are many free videos, as well as two levels of pay to view content.
See these webpages for details.
You have probably heard this before . . .
JADE PERCH ABOUT
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The PERCH MAN
In a recently published research paper, Oficialdegui et al. (2025) showed that global aquaculture has increasingly relied on farming species outside their native ranges. Indeed, the study identified that the annual growth rate of non-native species produced in aquaculture now exceeds that of native species — and in 2022 alone, 32 million tonnes of non-native aquatic species were farmed, accounting for 37% of the world’s total aquaculture production.
Source: Aquaculture Magazine, 7th Feb 2026
Jade perch and silver perch fingerlings available now.
Welcome to the Perch Man website.
This website containes knowledge gained over almost 40 years.
You can find information about many Australian native freshwater fish species.
You can order fingerlings here too.
What can I help you with ?
. . . click links below
HOW TO USE THE MEMBERS AREA
To sign up, and pay the membership fee, email me directly. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
To access this area of the website click on "membership" on the top menu bar.
Once you have signed up you will notice that the "membership" button on the menue bar now has a "Technical Information" drop down.
Just click on Technical Information, and you are in.
The members area has detailed information about Australian freshwater fish, including growing and disease management
Carbon Dioxide in Fish Ponds
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The PERCH MAN ABN 42 065 149 145
This information is part of a paper by, John Hargreaves and Martin Brunson, Mississippi State University.
It has sound information about CO2, (carbon dioxide).
Every fish farmer should have at least a basic understanding of CO2 and how it can affect their fish pond.
The primary sources of carbon dioxide in fish ponds are derived from respiration by fish and the microscopic plants and animals that comprise the fish pond biota.
Decomposition of organic matter is also a major source of carbon dioxide in fish ponds.
While producers are rightly concerned with maintaining adequate concentrations of dissolved oxygen, knowledge of the “flip-side” of the oxygen equation is also important.
Fish ponds can be thought of as “breathing” over a 24-hour period.
During the day, when the sun is shining brightly, oxygen is supplied to the pond by photosynthesis of algae and other aquatic plants (the “inhale”).
During the night, photosynthesis ceases, and the algae, sediment and fish consume oxygen (the “exhale”), producing the characteristic fluctuating pattern of dissolved oxygen concentration well known to fish farmers.
The daily pattern of carbon dioxide concentration is generally opposite that of dissolved oxygen.
During the day, algae take up or “fix” carbon dioxide that is free in the water and carbon dioxide concentration is therefore lowest (often 0 mg/L) during late afternoon, when dissolved oxygen is highest.
During the night, the respiration of pond organisms produces carbon dioxide, which accumulates to a maximum (usually around 10 to 15 mg/L) at dawn.
The problem with the potential toxicity of carbon dioxide can be related to the daily fluctuating pattern of dissolved oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations.
Carbon dioxide concentrations are highest when dissolved oxygen concentrations are lowest.
Thus, dawn is a critical time for evaluating pond water quality from the standpoint of both dissolved oxygen and, to a lesser extent, carbon dioxide.
In addition, there is some evidence to suggest that the toxicity of carbon dioxide is enhanced by low dissolved oxygen concentrations.
Fish are able to rid themselves of carbon dioxide through the gills in response to a difference in carbon dioxide concentration between fish blood and the surrounding water.
If environmental carbon dioxide concentrations are high, the fish will have difficulty reducing internal carbon dioxide concentrations, resulting in accumulation in fish blood.
This accumulation inhibits the ability of hemoglobin, the oxygencarrying molecule in fish blood, to bind oxygen, and may cause the fish to feel stress similar to suffocation.
The density of the algae bloom has an important effect on the magnitude of daily fluctuations of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations in ponds with a light algae bloom will not fluctuate very much between early morning and late afternoon, analogous to “shallow breathing.”
In ponds with a thick, dense algae bloom, fluctuations are more extreme, analogous to “deep breathing.”
Carbon dioxide problems are therefore more likely as the thickness of the bloom increases.
Carbon dioxide problems most likely in summer
Over an annual cycle, carbon dioxide concentrations are maximum during winter and minimum during summer.
However, carbon dioxide is rarely a problem in winter because dissolved oxygen concentrations are usually well above saturation levels.
Occasionally during the winter fish may appear to swim listlessly near the surface as if they were “under the influence,” possibly due to elevated carbon dioxide levels.
Such a condition may arise after a period of extremely calm and cloudy weather, but quickly passes once sunny or windy weather returns.
Summer is the time of year when carbon dioxide is most likely to be a problem in fish ponds.
Warm water temperatures increase the metabolism of all pond organisms and therefore respiration rates are high.
It is also a time of year when feeding rates are high.
The decomposition of wastes generated by large quantities of organic matter added to fish ponds in the summer requires large quantities of dissolved oxygen and produces arge quantities of carbon dioxide.
During the summer, carbon dioxide concentrations are lower than during winter, but dissolved oxygen concentrations are often critically low.
Fortunately, summer is also the time of year when ponds are aerated frequently.
In addition to supplying critical dissolved oxygen, vigorous aeration will drive off some proportion of the carbon dioxide produced in the pond.
Measure pH to estimate carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide can be measured directly with standard test kits.
Alternatively, measurement of pH can be used to estimate carbon dioxide concentration because carbon dioxide acts as an acid in water.
As carbon dioxide is added during the night, pH will decline.
(Conversely, when carbon dioxide is removed during the day, pH will increase.)
There are important interrelationships between carbon dioxide, pH and total alkalinity.
Knowing pH and total alkalinity will allow the estimation of carbon dioxide.
Estimation of carbon dioxide by pH measurements is plagued by difficulty in obtaining an accurate pH measurement.
Litmus paper, drop counting test kits, and various probes with meters have been used with varying success.
The selection of measurement devices for pH is largely a situation in which “you get what you pay for.”
For example, pH pens are generally inaccurate, particularly if not calibrated correctly, and do not compensate for changes in temperature.
Some scientific supply houses now sell narrow-range litmus paper which allows for low-cost, rapid estimation of pH.
Graphical estimation technique is easy
The first step is to determine the total alkalinity of the pond water using a standard test kit.
Next, determine the pH from a water sample collected without splashing or bubbles.
Draw a straight line up from the pH value to the curved line representing the total alkalinity value closest to that of the pond
(Step 1). Now extend another straight line to the left hand axis, indicating the free carbon dioxide concentration
(Step 2). The straight line extending across from 20 mg/L represents a “critical” concentration, above which carbon dioxide may be a problem.
Therefore, using the chart, a set of “critical” pH values can be determined for ponds with different total alkalinity.
In general, water can hold more carbon dioxide as temperature declines, although differences in temperature are less important than differences in total alkalinity and thus, for practical purposes, application of some kind of temperature correction is not necessary for estimation of carbon dioxide.
However, alkalinity provides “buffering capacity” to pH changes caused by carbon dioxide and pH is therefore unlikely to fall to such critical levels.
The pH of most ponds at dawn is usually between 7.5-8.
Carbon dioxide in ponds with low alkalinity (20 to 50 mg/L as CaCO3) may cause the pH to fall to the lower limits of the range for optimum fish growth and production.
The potential for carbon dioxide problems can be evaluated by a simple, “quick-and-dirty” method.
Collect a bucket of water and measure the pH.
Put an airstone in the bucket and run air through the water for about 30 minutes.
If the pH increases by more than one pH unit, then carbon dioxide may be a problem.
Carbon dioxide is an unusual problem in fish ponds
In general terms, carbon dioxide is rarely a cause for concern in fish ponds with sufficient alkalinity.
There are a few specific circumstances or scenarios in which carbon dioxide may be a problem, such as the period following the crash of an algae bloom or the application of an algicide, such as copper sulfate.
Large quantities of organic material derived from dead plankton are quickly decomposed, reducing oxygen and increasing carbon dioxide. Again, emergency aeration practices serve the dual role of supplying oxygen and reducing carbon dioxide.
Under certain circumstances, carbon dioxide can be a problem in ponds deeper than 4 or 5 feet.
Deep ponds may “stratify” or develop layers of relatively lighter, warmer, oxygen-rich water overlaying layers of relatively more dense, cooler, stagnant (and carbon dioxide rich!) water.
In ponds that have not been aerated or mixed for several weeks during warm and relatively calm weather, strong sustained winds or vigorous aeration can cause ponds to “roll over” and mix deep water with surface water, thereby increasing carbon dioxide concentration throughout the water column.
During the summer, when carbon dioxide is most likely to be a problem, ponds are typically aerated through the night.
Although deep ponds may stratify and destratify daily, water currents established by aeration and wind blowing over the water surface usually keep the water column well-mixed and, as a result, carbon dioxide problems rarely occur.
Carbon dioxide may accumulate when fish are held at high density, such as in hauling tanks or crowded in front of aerators during low oxygen episodes.
Even though carbon dioxide levels may rise dramatically, the problem can usually be alleviated by aeration, which adds oxygen while driving off some carbon dioxide.
Chemical treatment is a temporary solution
Carbon dioxide can be removed by chemical treatment of pond water with liming agents such as quicklime, hydrated lime or sodium carbonate.
These liming agents chemically react directly with carbon dioxide, resulting in reduced carbon dioxide and increased alkalinity and pH. Agricultural lime will not chemically remove carbon dioxide from pond waters.
In order to calculate the amount of a particular liming agent to apply to a pond, the following generalized formula can be used.
x carbon dioxide concentration (mg/L)
x pond area (acres)
x average depth (ft)
= pounds of liming agent to add
For example, the amount of hydrated lime required to treat a 10-acre pond with an average depth of 4 feet and a carbon dioxide concentration of 20 mg/L is 3.45 x 20 x 10 x 4 = 2,760 pounds or approximately 1.4 tons.
Treatment of the same pond with sodium carbonate would require 5,184 pounds or 2.6 tons.
Clearly, large quantities of liming materials are required to chemically treat a carbon dioxide problem.
At best, treatment with liming agents represents a temporary solution.
Once carbon dioxide is consumed by reaction with liming agents, additional carbon dioxide may accumulate because treatment of ponds with liming agents does not address the root cause of a presumed carbon dioxide problem.
In ponds receiving feed at very high rates (>100 lbs/acre per day) or in which rapid decomposition occurs following an algae crash, treatment with a liming agent does not affect the rate of carbon dioxide production and thus represents a temporary, “band-aid” solution.
Perhaps a more serious consequence of chemical treatment of carbon dioxide problems is related to pH, which may exceed 10 in poorly buffered (low alkalinity) waters following treatment with certain liming agents (such as quicklime and hydrated lime).
High pH causes a shift towards a greater proportion of the more toxic form of ammonia.
Consequently, a well intended application of certain liming agents to “treat” what is thought to be a carbon dioxide problem can result in a very stressful environment for fish.
The bottom line
Application of chemicals to treat a carbon dioxide “problem” is likely to be of limited, temporary benefit.
Aeration and mixing are the most effective available mechanical methods for the management of carbon dioxide and dissolved oxygen. Vigorous aeration accelerates the diffusion of carbon dioxide out of water and mixing will prevent or minimize the establishment of a carbon dioxide-rich layer of water near the pond bottom.
Maintaining a moderate plankton density (Secchi disk visibility between 6-12”) will maximize the biological uptake of carbon dioxide.
A clear determination of a carbon dioxide problem is required prior to any treatment.
If a carbon dioxide problem is suspected, other water quality variables (particularly dissolved oxygen and ammonia) should be evaluated before attempting any treatment.
The toxicity of carbon dioxide increases as dissolved oxygen concentration declines.
Often, the problem can be traced to something other than carbon dioxide.
FISH FOR FARM DAMS
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Jade perch and silver perch fingerlings available now.
Fingerlings will be supplied strictly in accordance with Queensland fisheries regulations.
Only species that are permitted in your river basin can be stocked in your farm dam.
If your dam is in Queensland to find out what you can stock. check here
For other states you should check with your local authorities before stocking your dam.
It is your responsibility to stock the correct fish in your dam.
NOTE: Jade perch are not permitted to be stocked in farm dams.
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SILVER PERCH
Silver Perch are omnivorous and will thrive in most farm dams.
They are farmed in many countries.
They will eat worms and most other aquatic life including aquatic weeds.
When you add fingerlings in the future the older fish are very unlikely to eat the new fingerlings.
They readily take artificial food, such as aquaculture pellets, chicken pellets or bread.
Bread or chicken food are not the best of diets for fish.
Aquaculture pellets are a properly balanced diet and fish will thrive on these commercial foods.
You can order food with your fingerlings.
I often refer to silver perch as "the chickens of the pond".
That's because they will eat anything a chicken will eat.
This makes them the very best fish to stock in a private dam.
They are not generally considered predators, rather foragers.
They will poke around the bottom of the dam and find a variety of food such as snails and aquatic worms, and water weeds etc.
This is not really the case for Australian bass, barramundi and golden perch.
Those fish are considered to be apex predators.
Only very large dams can support the food chain needed to feed those apex predators.
I do not recommend stocking apex predators in dams less than a couple of hectares.
My silver perch are already eating aquaculture pellets.
I can send food with you fingerlings.
You don't need to feed your fish in your dam, but if you choose to they will grow faster.
Silver perch soon learn when they will be fed, they will be ready and waiting near the surface at feeding time.
I recommend silver perch in dams be fed during the late afternoon when the shadows are across the water.
If they are fed early in the morning there is a risk that birds may eat your fish before you are up and about, especially in summer when it is light very early.
Remember the fish will be congregating in one spot waiting to be fed.
Feeding silver perch just before sunset will provide a spectacular display for your friends and visitors.
A great talking point for a BBQ.
How many fish should be stocked, click for information.
Silver Perch are excellent to eat but can sometimes have a weedy or muddy flavour.
It is best to hold live fish in very clean water for a week if the flavour is not pleasant.
Alternatively, only take fish for eating from your dam during dry spells when there is no run-off into the dam, and water is clear.
In these conditions the fish usually taste good.
Silver perch are now produced on large fish-farms for the restaurant trade.
They are well known for their delicate flavour and delightful melt-in-the-mouth texture.
They also have one of the highest omega-3 levels of over 200 sea-foods tested by the CSIRO.
Silver perch can be stocked in farm dams, without a permit, in the following river basins: Fitzroy, Nogoa, Dawson, Boyne, Kolan, Burnett, Nogo, Barambah, Auburn, Eliot, Burrum, Mary, Caboolture, Maroochy, North Pine, South Pine, Brisbane, Bremer, Lockyer, Stanley, Logan and South Coast (including the Nerang and Coomera rivers, and Currumbin and Tullebudgera creeks).
CATFISH
Catfish (Tandanus tandanus) are scavengers, generally bottom feeders, but will eat small fish that will fit in their mouth.
Temperature tolerance is wide.
Anything your other fish can handle, they will be happy with.
The big bonus is, they are top eating.
Their flesh is white and delicate.
When you are ready to eat them just humanely dispatch them.
Before gutting and heading them, pour hot water over the skin.
Then the skin can easily be peeled off.
The protective coating of mucus will not be slippery once the hot water has been applied.
Cook them a bit longer than perch to produce the best texture.
Undercooked, they can be a bit too moist.
They are one of the few species that will breed in farm dams. It will take two or three years for them to be mature enough to breed.
AUSTRALIAN BASS
Click for video spawning bassAustralian Bass are predatory fish and require sufficient natural food to thrive.
This means a good amount of aquatic insects and other aquatic life such as small fish and frogs, yabbies and freshwater shrimp.
For these reasons stocking rates should be relatively low, a maximum of about, 100-200 per hectare.
Bass is excellent to eat.
Bass are easy to catch on live bait such as yabbies, or lures.
Since Bass are highly predatory, should you wish to add more fingerlings in later years, the older fish will often eat many of the new fingerlings.
GOLDEN PERCH
click for videoGolden perch, or yellow belly, are strictly predatory and therefore require a plentiful supply of small fish, aquatic insects, or other aquatic animals such as yabbies, shrimp or even sometimes frogs.
They will eat the new fingerlings in subsequent stockings.
Therefore larger quantities of fingerlings need to be stocked, and at closer intervals, in future stockings of your dam.
Because they depend on natural live food, stocking density needs to be lower than that of Silver Perch, about 200-300 per hectare.
An average growth of a Golden Perch given plenty of food should produce a fish between one and two kilo in about two years.
They are great fun to catch and can be caught on lures and most live or frozen baits.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you stock golden perch fingerlings, you MUST stock the correct species.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you stock golden perch fingerlings, you MUST stock the correct species.
There are three species of golden perch. More here about the different golden perch.
BARRAMUNDI
Pictured above, Tony Sambell with a great barra he caught in our farm dam many years ago.
Barramundi is an Aboriginal word meaning large-scaled river fish.
They can grow to well over 40 kilo.
There is no doubt barramundi are one of the most popular and well known of Australia's sport fish.
All barramundi are born as males.
They spend the early part of their lives in fresh water until they reach sexual maturity.
They then migrate downstream to the mouth of the river where they meet the females, most of which have been living in the ocean.
They spawn in the salt water then some of the males will follow the females out to sea and some will go back to the river.
The males which go out to sea will change to females.
Even barramundi which are unable to go out to sea will still change into females in freshwater.
You should think very carefully before stocking your farm dam with barramundi.
You should think very carefully before stocking your farm dam with barramundi.
Their demand for food is difficult to meet.
They need an extra good supply of live food, such as small fish, shrimp, crayfish etc.
They do not forage for food or eat aquatic vegetation.
One of the biggest problems will be when you want to add more fingerlings to your dam.
Any barramundi remaining from earlier stockings will make a meal of the new fingerlings, of any species, which you introduce to your dam. Barramundi are generally not suitable for small dams.
They can be fed aquaculture pellets.
All my fingerlings are already eating pellets.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you stock barramundi fingerlings, you MUST stock the correct genetic strain. There are a number of genetic strains of barramundi.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you stock barramundi fingerlings, you MUST stock the correct genetic strain. There are a number of genetic strains of barramundi.
SARATOGA
Saratoga are easy to catch on live bait and are suckers for a well worked lure.
Fly-fishing for Saratoga has become very popular.
Saratoga has been stocked in a number of areas outside their natural range.
Check to see if you are allowed to stock before you order.
They have excellent eyesight and use their upward-facing eyes to catch insects.
They will leap on to the bank of a pond or river to snatch an insect from a blade of grass.
They also eat many other forms of aquatic animals such as frogs, yabbies, shrimp and small fish.
They are one of the few species that will breed in your dam.
It will take 3 or 4 years for them to become mature and start breeding in a dam.
These are expensive fish because they are a very popular aquarium fish.
These are expensive fish because they are a very popular aquarium fish.
Babies are well over $100 in aquarium shops.
They are also difficult to produce in large numbers.
Each female is only capable of producing a few hundred eggs, and only raising a few of these to become fingerlings.
How Many Fish To Stock in a Commercial Pond
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How many fish can I stock ?
What a question!
There is not a simple answer.
Firstly lets break this question down into sub-questions.
What are your intentions?
For a farm dam.
Farm dams are not the same a commercial pond.
The stocking rate is calculated from surface area alone, ignoring depth and volume.
Within reason.
Generally, the fish need water depth to range between half a meter to one and a half meters.
This will give the fish a range of habitats to use under different conditions.
Stock at one fish for every two meters of the distance around the dam. (The perimeter)
To create a place to go fishing
To be able to catch fish very easily stock silver perch at a minimum of 300 per acre, or about 700 to 800 per HA.
You will probably need to feed them eventually as they grow.
To reduce the amount of weed in a dam
Fish can’t stop the water from turning green. (Green water.)
Australian perch will eat filamentous algae, but sometimes that will still grow faster than the fish can eat it.
If you are not too concerned about being able to catch them, just stock about 100 fish per acre, or 250 per HA.
To grow fish for you to eat
You will need enough fish that catching them is not too difficult.
If you stock at very low densities, they might be too hard to catch.
Therefore, stock at similar densities as you would to create a great place to go fishing.
Remember, you might need to feed them to get really good growth rates.
To become a commercial farm.
Firstly, you need to be aware of the laws in your area, state, or country.
In Australia, each state has slightly different rules/laws.
However, every state requires a level of “licencing” for a commercial fish farm.
There are also laws about what species can be grown, and the structure they can be grown in.
That is, an earth pond, an above ground tank, or tanks in a covered area like a shed.
One thing is common in all states, you can’t sell fish without an aquaculture licence/permit.
Assuming you have all the appropriate approvals, and are growing an approved species, determining the correct stocking densities starts by stocking a “safe” number of fish, then monitoring the water parameters throughout the growing period. (Keep records so you can refer to them for the next crop.) After your first crop has been harvested you can now judge if you can increase stocking levels for your next crop. Keep in mind different species may perform differently and change the way water quality behaves.
Many species don’t have any research data that I can refer to, so here I make assumptions based on silver perch research, and personal communications with commercial growers in Australia, and clients in Asia.
Silver perch have been grown commercially since 1990, and jade perch since the mid to late 90’s.
Stocking densities range considerably, depending mainly on aeration and water exchange.
Stocking a .4 ha (1 acre) pond with about 20,000 fingerlings to start the growing process, then as growth performance and water quality indicate, (Mostly the ability to maintain suitable oxygen levels.) the fish numbers should be reduced.
Move some of the fish into another pond, and continue to do this as the fish grow, and water quality or oxygen drops.
A commercial farm final harvest totals ranges from1.5 ton to 40 ton, depending on the pond conditions.
This is based on a .4 ha pond.
Ponds without any water exchange or aeration are at the low end, and ponds with aeration and high water exchange are at the top end.
Keeping an eye on temperature, P.H. ammonia, and oxygen levels, especially oxygen very early in the morning, is essential to avoid poor growth rates and fish losses through disease and overstocking.
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Oxygen levels should be taken just after sunrise, and just before sunset. This should be done regularly and recorded in a pond diary so they can be referred to later. |
Some fish will not grow well when densely stocked.
Silver perch is an example of a species that will not grow well when stocked at high densities.
Not really a problem with jade perch.
Regularly checking your crops growth performance is essential.
A suitable number of fish should be sampled very regularly.
Check weight and look for disease and parasites.
USE A MICROSCOPE and reference books to identify diseases.
If your fish are not growing well and there is no disease present, you might have a crowding situation.
It could also be the food.
If food is not stored correctly, or it is too old, it may have lost some of its vitamins etc.
Underperforming fish growth is often related to food.
If the food is lacking in vital ingredients then you fish will not grow at the desirable commercial rate. Click for more
Sometimes lack of growth performance is because of poor quality brood fish used in production of the fingerlings.
The amount of food being fed must be recorded.
These records can be used in the future as well as giving an indication of the FCR, (Food Conversion Rate).
That is, how much food is fed to the fish to gain weight.
If your fish grow 50 grams over a set time, the amount of food fed to the pond during this time, should not exceed 100 grams per fish.
So, you can see, records are vital for profitability.
They are also an excellent reference for you during the growing of future crops.
Remember, each pond may perform slightly differently.
In summary, a commercial pond is a managed environment.
The proper management, and record keeping is what determines how many fish can be stocked, and this would be determined over several crops.
How Many Fish To Stock
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The PERCH MAN
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HOW MANY FISH CAN I STOCK ?
What a question!
There is no simple answer.
Firstly lets break this question down into sub-questions.
What are your intentions?
For a farm dam
The stocking rate is calculated from surface area alone, ignoring depth and volume, within reason.
Generally, the fish need water depth to range between half a meter to three meters.
Deeper water is ok, but it is mostly about the surface area of the dam.
This will give the fish a range of habitats to use under different conditions.
Stock at one fish for every two meters of the distance around the dam. (The perimeter)
To create a place to go fishing
To be able to catch fish very easily stock silver perch at a minimum of 300 per acre, or about 700 to 800 per HA.
You will probably need to feed them eventually as they grow.
To reduce the amount of weed in a dam
Fish can’t stop the water from turning green. (Green water.)
Australian perch will eat filamentous algae, but sometimes that will still grow faster than the fish can eat it.
If you are not too concerned about being able to catch them, just stock about 100 fish per acre, or 250 per HA.
To grow fish for you to eat
You will need enough fish that catching them is not too difficult.
If you stock at very low densities, they might be too hard to catch.
Therefore, stock at similar densities as you would to create a great place to go fishing.
Remember, you might need to feed them to get really good growth rates.
To become a commercial farm
Firstly, you need to be aware of the laws in your area, state, or country.
In Australia, each state has slightly different rules/laws.
However, every state requires a level of “licencing” for a commercial fish farm.
There are also laws about what species can be grown, and the structure they can be grown in.
That is, an earth pond, an above ground tank, or tanks in a covered area like a shed.
One thing is common in all states, you can’t sell fish without an aquaculture licence/permit.
More detail for commercial ponds is in the members area of this website.
To order fish or food email bruce@theperchman.com
Pond Overflows For Earth Ponds
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Note: To view full size pictures,right click picture, open in new tab.
To prevent your fish from escaping, and to prevent unwanted fish from entering your ponds, they need to be fitted with an appropriate sized overflow pipe which has an appropriate size screen. That means a screen size that will work efficiently, allowing excess water to exit the pond, without letting your cultured fish escape, or any unwanted fish species entering your pond. This pipe should be positioned correctly to be effective.
In Australia, many native fish species will swim long distances through running water, even through very shallow water, and grass. Tilapia will also travel long distances in the same way. It is common for tilapia to be in rivers and streams in many countries. Particularly in Asia and north eastern Australia, where they have established themselves in water holes, creeks and rivers. If these fish enter an aquaculture pond they will compete with the species you are trying to grow. They will eat the aquaculture feed you use to grow your commercial crop. They will breed to plague proportions making it difficult to sustain profitability. Tilapia have a very low commercial value, especially compared to more commercial species such as jade perch.
The pipe needs to be large enough to handle the amount of water that will enter the pond during heavy rain. The surface area of the screen should also be large enough to allow all the water to freely flow fast enough to keep up with the heaviest rain. Below pipe is 150mm (6") with 50mm holes.
Drilling large holes, or cutting pieces out of the pipe will give the screen support so it does not collapse during high water flows. This is particularly necessary in the tropics where high rainfall is common.
The pipe should be angled so that the screen is below the water level when it overflows. This is to reduce the chances of the screen becoming blocked with leaf litter and grass. If it is at the surface it will work like a tea strainer and quickly become blocked increasing the risk of the pond overflowing its banks. The screen should also be cleaned regularly to maintain efficiency.
Rodents will also make holes which must be repaired.
The outlet should be above the ground to help reduce the chances of fish entering the pipe and finding their way into the pond, even though it has a screen, baby fish could still enter the pond.
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The outlet should be maintained and free of vegitation. Unlike the pictures below. Here the grass has not been kept away from the pipe outlet which will slow the flow of water.
FARM DESIGN
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The best way to design or work out your farm layout is not about nice drawings.
It is about knowing how to make the pieces fit together.
BUT FIRST !
You need to know what pieces you need to fit together.
It is about where the water is going to end up before it leaves your property.
Your loading area, hatchery and purging facility . . .
Water from your facility should end up at the bottom of you land, "down the hill."
Your water storages (dams) should be at the lowest point of your property.
Before entering the storage dams, there should be a bioremediation dam.
The list goes on . . .
BELOW
Before anything was built knowing how water is to be delivered into each tank, and how tanks drain, and water is treated . . .
BELOW
The water storage dams shown here are all at the lowest point on the property.
Note you can see full size images. Just right click the image and open in new tab.
If you are planning to start a new farm my experience may help save you time and money.
My consulting service is bassed on over 45 years in the fish business, and 37 years building and running a freshwater fish farm and hatchery in Australia.
I supplied fingerlings to farms across Australia and Asia.
I served as the president for the Aquaculture Association of Queensland for about 25 years.
This gave me access to many farms, and government facilities as the industry grew in Australia and other countries.
You can also subscribe to a set of private videos that show commercial detail about Australian native freshwater fish farming.
BELOW
The holding tanks are installed before the shed is constructed.
Planning how everything will work is essential.
You need to know how the farm will work after is is built.
To end up with this you need to plan ahead and know exactly what you will need to operate your business.
You will need to understand your local regulations.
You need to know your market and how you can supply what they need.
You must know the fish biology and how to manage their needs and . . .
Manage potential diseases.
How you will be able to quarintine batches of fish.
Purge the fish for transport of consumption.
And the list goes on.
To end up with this . . .
I did all this
Plan ahead, avoid this. Click for video
CONTACT PERCH MAN
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The PERCH MAN ABN 42 065 149 145
CONTACT INFORMATION. Note, due to frequent international travel, phone contact and text messages may be difficult and email replies may be delayed. Preferred contact method is by email. Phone number is for emergencys ONLY.
Whatsapp: Bruce Perch Man
WeChat: BrucePerchMan
Website: www.theperchman.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
YouTube: jadeperchman
Facebook: Bruce Sambell
LinkedIn: Bruce Sambell
Viber: Bruce Sambell +61407797149
Telegram: Bruce Sambell Perch Man +61 407 797 149
Phone: +61 407797149
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RECIPES
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The PERCH MAN ABN 42 065 149 145
RECIPES and tips
When cooking either Jade Perch or Silver Perch, it is important not to UNDER cook. You often hear the comment "don't over cook fish as it will dry out too much."
With perch, it is the opposite. Undercooked perch will be too sloppy. It needs to be well cooked to bring out the best in it's texture. There is plenty of moisture in sweet water perch.
Perch are very high in omega-3 oils. Much of this oil is to be found in the fat. Each fillet usually has a strip of fat along each side. If you find the flavour of the fat a bit strong, simply trim the strips of fat from the sides of the fillet. It will cut away easily or it can be pulled away with your fingers. Some people consider the fat a delicacy and fry the fat separately. Some people even purchase omega-3 capsules from health stores, these strips of fat are extremely high in omega-3s
Trimmed perch fillets should not have any strong flavor. If it has a weedy or muddy taste, the fish have not been properly finished by the grower. You should not purchase from this grower if the problem persists. Perch have a delightfully delicate flavour, with a melt in the mouth texture. Perch are rich in healthy omega-3's.
Below are a few recepes to try
This recipe won the Aquaculture Association of Queensland 2018 cooking competition
Prep time 20 minutes. Cook time 25 minutes
Ingredients
1 kg Sushi rice
1 bottle Sushi seasoning
4 Jade Perch fillets
2 cups mirin
Japanese rice wine condiment
2 cups light soy sauce
Preferably Japanese style
1 cup Brown Sugar
Instructions
1:cook sushi rice according to packet instructions. Then add sushi seasoning and cool on flat tray. Place weights on rice to make a firm even rectangle and chill.
2: Combine mirin, soy sauce and sugar in a pan and reduce by half.
3: Carefully fillet your Jade perch remove all pin bones and de-scale.
4:Place Jade perch fillet on grill, BBQ or in frying pan. Brush sauce over fish and continue turning and brushing sauce layering more and more sauce each time the fish is turned over.
5: Cut chilled rice into small rectangles and then add lacquered fish fillets on top of sushi rice.
6: Serve with pickled ginger, soy sauce and wasabi.
This recipe won the Aquaculture Association of Queensland 2017 cooking competition.
Prep time 30 minutes. Cook time 15 minutes.
Ingredients
4 Jade Perch fillets
10 fl oz Chicken Stock
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/3 cup Brown sugar
1 tea spoon grated fresh ginger
1 table spoon cornflour
1 orange juice and zest
Instructions
1. In a saucepan whisk together stock, soy, sugar, ginger, cornflour, orange juice and zest.
2. Bring to the boil, whisk lower heat and cool.
3. Place fish fillets in glaze and refrigerate for one hour.
4. Sear fish on BBQ or grill 2 minutes each side. Lower heat and cook through for a further few minutes depending on fish thickness. Be careful as glaze burns easily.
5. Pour remaining sauce into a small saucepan and boil then pour over fish and serve.
Macadamia Nut crusted Silver perch on Pineapple & Cucumber Salsa
INGREDIENTS
- 80g Silver perch fillet
- 30g Toasted & crushed macadamia nuts
- 1 table spoon seeded mustard
- 10g melted butter
- 10g fresh breadcrumbs
- 15g diced pineapple
- 15g diced deseeded cucumber
- 5g diced capsicum
- 5g diced red onion
- 5g chopped parsley
- 5 mls olive oil
- 5 mls balsamic vinegar
- 1 lemon wedge
METHOD
Mix pineapple, cucumber
capsicum, onion, parsley, oil & vinegar.
seal off perch in a little flour, butter & oil.
After it is half cooked top with macadamia crust mix.
Place under grill till golden brown.
To serve place fish a top of salsa mix with a wedge of lemon
Silver Perch Meuniere
INGREDIENTS
- 2 fillets of silver perch
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons plain flour
- ¼ cup white wine
- 1 dash lemon juice
- chopped parsley
- salt and pepper
METHOD
Fillet silver perch. Melt butter in fry pan, dust fish in plain flour, salt and pepper. Fry for 2 minutes both sides. Deglaze with white wine add lemon juice and chopped parsley just before you serve stir in butter.
Perch with mayonnais and breadcrumbs
INGREDIENTS
- Filleted fish
- Traditional mayonnaise (I use Praise or Kraft)
- Coleslaw dressing (I also use Praise or Kraft)
- Freshly made breadcrumbs
- Fresh tomatoes sliced
- Parmesan cheese optional
METHOD
Very simply in large baking dishes lay one layer of fish, spread mayonnaise over fish as if buttering bread (not sparingly), drizzle coleslaw dressing over mayonnaise, sprinkle breadcrumbs over top, place sliced tomato on top and sprinkle with parmesan cheese, repeat for the second layer.
Bake in 180 degree oven for aprox 45-60 minutes, depending upon the thickness of the fillets.
Island of Spetsai Silver Perch
INGREDIENTS
- 750 gm Silver Perch Fillets
- Lemon juiced
- 1 ½ cups Extra virgin olive oil
- 4 tablespoons Tomato Puree
- 3 tablespoons Chopped parsley
- Cloves garlic chopped finely
- About 2 cups Breadcrumbs
METHOD
Rub fish with lemon juice and salt and let stand in fridge for ½ hr
In a bowl mix the oil, tomato puree, parsley, garlic, lemon juice and juices from fish
Place fish on bottom of baking tray – one fillet deep
Spread over the oil mix
Cover with a thick layer of breadcrumbs so that no fish is showing
Bake in pre heated oven at 180o for about 30 mins until sauce is absorbed and fish is cooked.
Carefully divide onto individual warmed plates with a spatula. No garnish is needed. Serve with crusty Greek bread and a Greek salad for a superb luncheon.
SERVES 4
Silver Perch Soup With Cennellini & Pistou
3 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 cup firmly packed basil leaves
- 40g (½ cup) grated parmesan
- 1/3 cup olive oil.
- Season to taste
- 50g pine nuts
(You may purchase a basil pesto from the supermarket, instead of making Pistou to drizzle on the finished soup).
METHOD
Add drained cannellini, onion and bay leaf to a medium saucepan (if using canned Cannellini add at the end) of boiling water and simmer over medium heat for 30 minutes or until just tender. Drain and discard onion and bay leaf.
FOR PISTOU
Combine garlic, basil and parmesan and pine nuts in a food processor and process until will combined ( or pound in a mortar and pestle). Add olive oil in a thin steady stream until smooth, then season to taste. Heat olive oil in a large saucepan and cook leek over low heat until soft, add Garlic, tomato and wine and cook over high heat until tomato is reduced to a pulp. Add stock and simmer until tomato is reduced by a quarter, then season to taste. Add cannellini and green beans and simmer for 5 minutes, then add fish and simmer until cooked, ladle soup into four soup bowls and drizzle with pistou. Serve with good French Bread, if desired.
SERVES 2
Fish and chips
Ingredients
- Oil for deep frying
- 4 boneless fillets of Silver perch
- 225g plain flour
- 225g bread crumbs
- Cool water
- 4 large potatoes for chipping.
Method
Cut fillets into portion sizes, coat with plain flour, dip into water and roll in bread crumbs. Deep fry in oil until well cooked. Place on tray lined with absorbent paper to drain.
Peel and chip potatoes. Deep fry in oil until cooked. Place on tray to drain.
Return fish to oil and reheat for a short time. Place on paper to drain.
Return Chips to oil and cook until crispy. Place on paper to drain.
Serve either as fish and chips or with a salad.
Golden Fried Potato Coated Fish and Chips
Especially for people with Gluten Problems
Batter
- 2 Potatoes (grated)
- 2 Eggs
- Salt to taste
- Plain flour to thicken batter (Best with Gluten Free Flour
- Mix all together
Fish
- 6 Fillets of Fish
- Plain Flout to coat Fillets
Method
Grate Potatoes add egg and salt and mix to batter using the Plain Flour.
Coat Fish Fillets with Plain Flour and then with Batter mixture.
Deep Fry until golden Brown.
Serve with Lemon and Chips.
Sesame and Herb Fried Silver Perch on an Orange Salad with Saffron Mayo
Ingregients
- 150g Filleted Silver Perch
- 10g Sesame Seeds
- 10gFresh Mixed Herbs
- 20g Breadcrumbs
- 20mls Egg Wash
- 10g Plain Flour
- ½ Orange Segmented
- ¼ Red Onion Sliced
- 2 ½ Cherry Tomatoes
- Continental Cucumber Sliced
- Balsamic Vinaigrette
- 20g Mixed Lettuce
- A pinch of Saffron threads
- 20mls Homemade Mayo
- 1 cup of good frying oil
Method
Place Silver perch fillets in flour, then egg wash, then crumbing mix.
Arrange salad by placing lettuce, onion, cherry tomatoes and orange segments to centre of plate. Drizzle with balsamic dressing.
Fry fish in oil till golden brown.
Arrange on salad, drizzle with saffron mayo garnish with lime wedge and serve.
Mosquito control
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The PERCH MAN ABN 42 065 149 145
I can supply fish for mosquito larvae control. To order email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Larger species, such as perch, will eat mosquito larvae when they are young fish, but once they grow bigger they are not effective at reducing mosquito wrigglers. Larger fish don't hunt small prey.
Small or large quantities of the appropriate species for mosquito management for your farm dam, garden pond, local councils, mining companies, or developers. Large water bodies, such as settling ponds, water treatment storage etc. Contact the Perch Man to discuss the correct species for your requirements and region. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
30 - 50 --- $2.00
51 - 100 --- $1.75
101 - 500 --- $1.00
501 - 5000 --- $0.85
Over 10,000 - - - $0.40
Firetail gudgeons.
AVAILABLE NOW At above prices
These are the easiest fish to use for mosquito management in small ponds and dams.
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Water temperature; 10°C - 30°C. They will establish a balanced population in most garden ponds, farm dams, lakes etc. Firetail gudgeons only grow to about 4-5cm and are prolific breeders in ponds and dams. Native to most parts of the north east coastal areas of Australia. You can catch your own in creeks near your location but be aware of the maximum you are permitted to catch. Bag limits may apply. Email me to order, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
Native glass fish, Ambassis Sp |
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Advance order only, at above prices.
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Ambassis, or glass fish are also an excellent species to use for the control of mosquito larvae, (wrigglers). Ambassis are another of the smaller species that will not grow big, and will always consume mosquito wrigglers. This species is native to most creeks and rivers in Queensland. Water temperature range 5c - 35c. They will breed and establish a balanced population in most garden ponds, farm dams, lakes etc. You can catch your own in creeks near your location but be aware that bag limits may apply. Or you can order them directly from the Perch Man. More information here Email me to order, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
Pacific blue-eyes, Pseudomugil signifer
Not available at the moment. Advance orders considered at negotiated prices.
Blue-eyes are also an excellent way to control mosquito larvae, (wrigglers). Pacific blue-eyes are a small species only growing to about 4cm. Their favourite food is midge and mosquito wrigglers.
This species of blue-eye are native to most creeks and rivers from about Sydney to Far North Queensland. They will breed and establish a balanced population in most garden ponds and farm dams.
Rainbow fish, Melanotaenia species
Not available at the moment. Advance orders considered at negotiated prices.
Rainbows are another species that love to eat mosquito larvae.
Most streams in Northern Australia have Australian rainbows in them. The southernmost river system to contain rainbows is the Murray-Darling River Basin. Each stream has a unique colour morph. It may be a disaster to stock a pond or farm dam with the wrong colour morph. If they were to escape and breed with the local colour morph, your local colour morph could be lost forever. Below are a few examples of the different colours found in different locations. Click on the picture to enlarge.
The best way to get the right colour morph is to catch your own. BUT not a good idea where crocodiles might be. It is legal in Queensland for you to catch a small number from your local streams and stock them in your dam. The best way to find your local colour morph is to follow the down-hill fall of the land from your property to the first creek or river. If the spot you find is not suitable for collecting rainbows, check a map of your area and find yourself a site on the same creek or river that you can collect from. Choose a location as close as possible to your property. Some river systems are quite large, and may contain different colour morphs at different points.
They are easiest to catch at night. Just use a 20 ltr bucket, with about 10cm of water in the bottom. You need the 20 ltr bucket to stop them from jumping out. Add about a level teaspoon of cooking salt, (not table salt) to the water in the bucket. With a good torch, such as a "Dolphin" the rainbows are easy to spot as they drift in the eddies or near the edge of a steep bank. Use a long handled fine net. A 10 or 12 inch aquarium net is ideal. Use some plastic pipe to extend the handle, such as electrical conduit. Just squeeze the loop at the end of the handle until it slides tightly down the pipe.
Don't charge at the fish as the ripples you make or any sound on the creek bed will spook the fish. When approaching a fish, have your net deep in the water. Slowly lift the net up from under the fish and carefully put them in the bucket. Don't handle the fish as this may cause damage to the fish's slime coating resulting in the fish becoming infected with bacteria. The slime (mucus) is an important part of the fish's natural immune system.
Don't catch too many as this will overload the bucket resulting in loss of oxygen, and dead fish.
They should be released in you dam as soon as possible. Rainbows will quickly establish a self maintaining, stable population in your dam from just a few fish. 20 fish will quickly fill a farm dam, and for a garden pond even less fish are needed to establish a stable population.
It is illegal to sell any of your wild caught rainbows. Even the off-spring can't be sold without the appropriate permit from your local authority. You should also check how many you are permitted to collect.
In most Australian states it is illegal to stock the wrong fish.
Purging
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Purging your fish.
Your fish need to be "finished" before delivering to the end user.
Purging or "finishing"
Some people can detect a taste that they describe as “off flavour”.
Freshwater fish are often referred to as having a weedy, muddy or off-flavour.
There are 3 chemicals responsible for these tastes.
The weedy taste is usually caused by the algae present in ponds where the fish were raised, as is the muddy flavour caused by turbid water in pond raised fish.
None of these are harlmfull, just not pleasent to the tast.
Obviously this is very undesirable.
The chemicals that cause these off flavours are concentrated in the skin and fat of the fish.
The remedy is simple.
If the fish are held in very clean water for a few days these flavours can be removed.
Generally the purging, or finishing time is 7 days, sometimes longer. It is recommended that before fish are sent to market that the grower taste test 2 or 3 fish from each batch.
If there are no “off flavours” present, the product can be said to be “finished,” or market ready.
When properly purged of these off flavours, these fish have excellent table qualities.
The flesh is white, slightly flaky, and has a delicate, melt in the mouth texture.
A tip when cooking, is to cook a little longer that you might many "sea" or salt water fish.
The longer you cook them the firmer and drier the flesh will become.
As a freshwater fish, the fillet is a lot more moist than salt water fish.
If not cooked for long enough, the fillet can be a little "mushy" in texture. Too soft, and too moist.
Another tip . . . The chemicals that cause these off flavours are concentrated in the skin and fat of the fish. A skin off fillet will always taste the best.
Some people believe the purging of the fish in salted water makes the flesh taste better.
This is not scientificly supported.
There is no actual change in the texture, or flavour of the fish due to the salt content of the purging water.
More about "osmoregulation." If you want all the complicated science click here
Although the salt in the purging water is of great benifit to the fish, (I have always said salt is the asprin of aquaculture, and should always be used when handling fresh water fish. In fact if a professional grower, or hatchery operater did not use salt, he makes things difficult for himself, and his fish.) it actually has no biological effect on the flesh.
The salt content of the fishes body, including the mussel tissue will always be the same through the fishes ability to *osmoregulate the salt in its body.
There are exceptions such as barramundi, but jade and silver perch undergo NO changes when kept in high levels of salt.
Too little, or too much salt will stress the fish.
When handeling live fish, such as harvesting, the fish become stressed, and lose salt to their "freshwater" environment.
A little salt added to their water is extreamly helpful.
I recomend 2 to 5 parts per thousand, (ppt).
That's 2 to 5 grams per liter. A salt content of 10ppt will result in stock losses for jade and silver perch.
At levels above 10ppm the fish experience difficulties balancing the salt levels in their bodies.
No matter how much salt you add to the water, the fish will try to regulate the salt content of their bodies.
This is known as osmoregulation.
Osmoregulation is the regulation of a cells fluids. It keeps the mussel tissue of the fish from becoming to dry or becoming to fluid. It regulates the salt content and what waste to get rid of and what to keep)
The salt in the purging water does help the fish to purge their gut, and helps with parasite management.
It is also a mild antiseptic. It also acts as a mild anaethetic keeping the fish calmer.
Premium Client Videos
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The PERCH MAN ABN 42 065 149 145
My contact details are all here
Almost 5,000 subscribers.
PERCH MAN PREMIUM CLIENT VIDEOS
These videos are for the professional
During COVID-19 on-site visits were impossible
In response to client needs, a new set of videos was uploaded to the official Perch Man YouTube channel, jadeperchman
These videos are for all level 3 clients, new and existing.
These videos are only available by direct invitation via YouTube.
They cannot be seen unless an invitation to view is received.
This video collection is for commercial fish hatcherys, and commercial growers of Australian native freshwater fish.
Included in this service, you can ask me to make you a custom video anything not already covered by the video set.
I can include your company logo, pictures and videos of your facility.
It is yours to use as you like.
This is included in your two year subscription.
Also included, Up to 100 follow up email questions answered.
Almost 40 videos available.
Over 150 videos in my YouTube channel.
These include full perch spawning information, EVERYTHING, you watch it being done !
Exactly how I spawn and raise the babies in Australia.
I demonstrate all processes in a real farm/hatchery environment.
Individual videos are au$1,250.00 each.
Access to all videos including many unlisted videos. au$4,000.00
To access these premium client videos EMAIL: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
If you don't find what you need I'll make a video for you . . . just email me with your request.
These videos include -
- How to spawn jade perch and silver perch in full detail
- How to take an egg (oocytes) sample
- How to inject ovulating hormone
- Which hormone to use
- How to release larvae into a plankton pond
- How long from injection to release in plankton pond
- Management of plankton ponds
- Export packing of bulk fry
- General Hatchery design
- Farm design
- Harvesting of fry and adult fish
- Holding practices for fry prior to shipping
- How to set up a plankton pond
- How to raise perch larvae
- How to move larvae to pond
- When do you put the larvae into the plankton pond
- How to condition breeders for spawning
- How to microchip your breeders
- How to design a plankton pond
- How to wean your fry
- How to manage/prevent diseases. No antibiotic !
They call me the Perch Man, because of my intimate knowledge of Australian perch.
My experience has been gained over the years while the commercial development of Australian native freshwater fish industry grew and evolved in Australia.
I was the first to breed many species, including sleepy cod, (soon hock) and a number of Australian native freshwater fish.
I was one of four people on the first expedition to collect the original breeders of jade perch from the Barcoo River, central Australia.
I was one of the very first to ever spawn jade perch. (I am told I was the second person to breed them.)
This was over 30 years ago.
I have now been breeding them continuously, longer than anyone currently in the industry.
In fact, the decision to use jade perch as their marketing name was made at my kitchen table.
Click picture for preview
Are you interested in becoming a fish farmer?
Many people have entered aquaculture without realising they are starting a business.
It’s not just a “side line”, it’s a business on its own.
You need to consider; do you have the time to manage a new business?
Do you have the necessary skills to grow fish?
Do you have the time and commitment to learn a new skill?
click for more
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
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TERMS AND CONDITIONS
By viewing this website, or any links from this website, or engaging or paying for consulting services, you accept these terms and conditions.The information provided by Bruce Sambell, (The Perch Man.) or any of his associates colleagues or employees, or pages and sub-directories of this website, including videos, are provided as a general service. The information and advice provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate at the time. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that persons will be responsible for making their own assessment on any matters contained or discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements, information and advice. Changes in circumstances after material is placed on this website or any links, or videos, may impact on the accuracy of the information. No assurance is given as to the accuracy of any representation, statement, information or advice. Neither Bruce Sambell, nor any of his associates, colleagues or employees accept any responsibility for any losses whatsoever or agents, nor any employee shall be responsible or liable for any loss, damage or injury (including death) howsoever caused (whether caused by any negligent or other unlawful act or omission of, or by associates colleagues or employees of Bruce Sambell. No responsibility is accepted, for any losses whatsoever, arising from the use of or reliance on any information, data or advice (including incomplete, out-of-date, wrong, inaccurate or misleading information, data or advice): expressed or implied information provided within this website, verbally, or in any links to videos or other websites, or expressed or implied in, or coming from, any person whosoever associated with Bruce Sambell, or Bruce Sambell himself. Any information provided here should be considered as one of many information resources available. All persons including corporate entities should consider all available information.You are solely responsible to confirm any information provided by Bruce Sambell, his associates colleagues or employees, and to consider all other sources of information available. COPYRIGHT. All material contained in this website is subject to copyright.
LIVESTOCK
By engaging or paying for consulting services, you accept these terms and conditions.Any fish handled or dealt with in any way, by Bruce Sambell, (The Perch Man) or any of his associates, colleagues or employees are entirely at the client's risk. Bruce Sambell, or any of his associates, colleagues or employees shall not be responsible or liable for any fish losses whatsoever or agents, nor any employee shall be responsible or liable for any loss, damage or injury to any fish. All persons including corporate entities should consider all available information.You are solely responsible to confirm any information provided by Bruce Sambell, (The Perch Man) his associates colleagues or employees, and to consider all other sources of information available. Any information provided should be considered as one of many information resources available.
CONSULTING
By engaging or paying for consulting services, you accept these terms and conditions.Any fish handled or dealt with in any way, by Bruce Sambell, (The Perch Man) or any of his associates, colleagues or employees are entirely at the client's risk. Bruce Sambell, or any of his associates, colleagues or employees shall not be responsible or liable for any fish losses whatsoever or agents, nor any employee shall be responsible or liable for any loss, damage or injury to any fish. All persons including corporate entities should consider all available information.You are solely responsible to confirm any information provided by Bruce Sambell, (The Perch Man) his associates colleagues or employees, and to consider all other sources of information available. Any information provided should be considered as one of many information resources available.
BUYING FISH
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Please note: Trading terms and conditions apply.
Minimum quantities and minimum order values apply.
All prices are at the farm. Any and all additional costs such as, but not limited to, freight, agents fees, packing expenses, health inspection and certification fees etc., are in addition to the fingerling prices. International sales are GST free.
Please note: Trading terms and conditions apply.
Minimum quantities and minimum order values apply.
All prices are at the farm. Any and all additional costs such as, but not limited to, freight, agents fees, packing expenses, health inspection and certification fees etc., are in addition to the fingerling prices. International sales are GST free.
When and why I do or do NOT guarantee live arrival.
All international and interstate customers are responsible for their own permits and documentation. The Perch Man will provide any documents requested by the customer. If documents are required by the receiving country or state the customer must advise, in writing, to The Perch Man a request for these documents at least two weeks prior to shipping. All documents, including import permits or import licences, provided to The Perch Man, must be in English. If the customer is required by their country to have an import permit or import licence, a copy must be provided to The perch Man before the order is confirmed. Where a translation is required, such translation must be provided to The Perch Man in PDF format, and translated by an appropriate authority. An order will be considered, "confirmed" once The Perch Man has received any documents required by the receiving country or state, and a 10% deposit has been received. See below for deposit/payment conditions.
Prior to booking international freight for each shipment, full payment must be received by The Perch Man.
Payment by direct deposit only. Funds must be cleared at least 7 business days before shipment.
All international and interstate customers are responsible for their own permits and documentation. The Perch Man will provide any documents requested by the customer. If documents are required by the receiving country or state the customer must advise, in writing, to The Perch Man a request for these documents at least two weeks prior to shipping. All documents, including import permits or import licences, provided to The Perch Man, must be in English. If the customer is required by their country to have an import permit or import licence, a copy must be provided to The perch Man before the order is confirmed. Where a translation is required, such translation must be provided to The Perch Man in PDF format, and translated by an appropriate authority. An order will be considered, "confirmed" once The Perch Man has received any documents required by the receiving country or state, and a 10% deposit has been received. See below for deposit/payment conditions.
Prior to booking international freight for each shipment, full payment must be received by The Perch Man.
Payment by direct deposit only. Funds must be cleared at least 7 business days before shipment.
The Perch Man does not guarantee live arrival, unless we deliver ourselves, by bulk road tanker. The owners and staff of The Perch Man are not liable for any financial losses, in any form, or any losses as a result of fish mortalities during transit, no matter what the cause. Insurance of fish in transit is the sole responsibility of the customer. Packing densities are designed to give you the best value for your freight dollar. This will often mean a build up of ammonia and especially CO2. CO2 is the biggest killer of fish during the unpacking process! If you are having trouble with losses when you unpack please contact us for advice. If a fish is alive, in the bag, when it arrives it should stay alive when unpacked, and handled correctly.
The owners and staff of The Perch Man will not be held responsible in any way whatsoever, should The Perch Man fail to supply your order of fingerlings/fry, in part, or in total. All bulk orders are counted by weight. The quantity of fish packed in each bag is an average quantity based on the average weight of sample count done under the Aquaculture Association of Queensland accepted industry standard at the time of shipment. (See Commercial Hatchery Code of Best Practice) No claim will be considered.
Bulk orders will be confirmed once a deposit has been received. This deposit is not refundable should the order be reduced in quantity, or canceled by the customer.
Should the customer be unable to take delivery of their order, in part or in full, any postponed portion of the order shall be subject to prices current for the season delivery is made. Any agreed price is forfeited.
In the event The Perch Man is unable to supply the total number of fish during the current spawning season, any payments made by the customer will be carried over to the next spawning season when the balance of the order will be shipped. It is at the sole discretion of The Perch Man to hold the agreed price, or apply the new season price for fish delivered in the next season. The deposit will be credited against the final shipment of the total order.
Should the customer be unable to take delivery of any part of the order, this includes lack of correct documentation, the deposit is not refundable. The deposit will be held as a credit in the customer's account for a maximum of two years. If the customer does not accept delivery of the order within two years, the deposit is forfeited.
All shipments must be paid in full at least seven days before the anticipated shipping date.
In the event the shipment is canceled by the customer, for any reason, any payments are not refundable. Any costs associated with the cancellation will be deducted from the payment and the balance will be held as a credit in the customers account.
All transactions are in Australian dollars. No compensation is considered as a result of any changes in currency value, regardless of circumstances.
The consignment of the goods to the customer constitutes acceptance by The Perch Man's, of the customers offer to purchase from The Perch Man, and the customers agreement to these terms and conditions. This acceptance constitutes a contract with The PerchMan. All such contracts are formed in Childers Queensland Australia. The offerer waives his/her/its rights to be notified of acceptance of the contract.
By placing an order you agree to accept these conditions
Kangaroo Syndrome
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SILVER PERCH - KANGAROO SYNDROME ?
Why I call it "Kangaroo Syndrome," I refer to the lack of growth when silver perch are overstocked.
When kangaroos overpopulate an area, or there is not enough feed available they will not become pregnant.
Kangaroos that live in the arid parts of Australia, in the inland woodlands and deserts, like most other marsupials are well adapted to their arid environment, shutting down their reproductive system when conditions are too dry to breed successfully, and rebooting it only when conditions improve.
Silver perch have a similar trait.
They don't grow well in a RAS (Recirculating Aquaculture System.)
Silver perch hit a "growth barrier" at about 300 to 350 grams.
WHY ?
It is probably because they release a pheromone (A type of hormone.) into the water which switches off their growth when they are over crowded.
It has been scientifically proven that this happens in a RAS.
It does not seem to be an issue with flow through systems, or hybrid systems with some flow through.
Generally, it does NOT happen in open earth ponds.
To some degree this also happens with other fish species.
Some species will actually become mature at a much smaller size, like tilapia for example.
Silver perch grow extremely well in open earth ponds, also in cages in earth ponds.
They will also do very well in large commercial concrete tanks, particularly in tropical climates.
See this video, (Click on the picture below.) at a commercial farm in Singapore where they grew to one kilo in a year.
Note that this pond has floating vegetable rafts which remove a lot of nutrients from the water.
Click picture for video
Fish for a breeding program
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SELECTIVE BREEDING OF JADE PERCH AND SILVER PERCH -
Although I follow a similar process for silver perch, on this page I only focus on jade perch.
I have been breeding jade perch every year for almost 40 years.
When we stock a plankton pond with larvae there is often some extra big fish when we harvest.
From the very beginning I noticed that sometimes a few fish were much bigger than the rest of the fingerlings harvested from the pond.
I call these fish "shooters" because they grow extra fast, they shoot ahead of the other fish.
I keep them for future breeders.
The fish in both pictures below are from the same pond, the same harvest.
The bigger fish were selected from a harvest of 60,000 fry.
I refer to the bigger fish as "shooters."
Shooters in the picture below compare to the next picture . . .
The rest of the pond were this size (below)
CATCHING WILD JADE PERCH
Click pictures for video
Originally I collected our breeders from the wild, from the Barcoo River, under special government permit.
I was actually one of four people on the very first expedition to collect jade perch breeders from the wild.
I collected wild fish for about five years.
Then I was able to access breeders from our customers in Australia, who grow our fry to table size.
The fish we produce from wild breeders are called F1, first generation from wild
I have been able to access their fish at first harvest and select the biggest of the crop to use as breeders.
I used their fish with the shooters we had grown on for breeding.
This was working very well for years.
However, I was alerted by customers in Asian countries to some issues.
Their fish were growing slower, deformities were appearing, and disease outbreaks were happening.
They had been buying from hatcheries in Asia for several years.
These were not our fry, but fry produced from shipments we had sent years earlier.
Those hatcheries had been breeding from those fish for several generations.
I made enquiries with scientists here in Australia.
The consensus was that qualities the wild fish have were being lost after many generations of breeding from such a small gene pool.
This is usually referred to as "inbreeding".
The "good" genes have become "recessive." *
* A recessive gene is a section of genetic information with a low probability of being expressed in the individual.
Also note, there are at least 6 scortum species in Australia alone and more can be found in New Guinea.
It is also possible that the fish they are/were breeding from were not actually jade perch, (Scortum barcoo)
Only Scortum, barcoo have "proven" aquaculture qualities.
Wild jade perch, (Scortum barcoo) come from an area in Australia that has very little rainfall.
The red area in the map below is the Lake Eyre Basin.
This is the only place in the world where wild jade perch occur.
The fish I produced from wild brood fish are called F1.
True F1fry or fingerlings can only be supplied from Australia.
I have sent fresh Australian breeders to Malaysia, where I am now producing fry.
This will now make the cost of quality, (With the good genes.) fry cheaper to access as a result of much lower freight and production costs.
WHAT ARE F1 ?
In that red part of the map, (Where scortum barcoo are native to.) it usually only has rain once or twice a year, sometimes even several years without any rain or water flows.
The rivers in this area dry up to just a few waterholes.
When there are water flows the water conditions can change in a few hours.
Temperature, turbidity, pH, oxygen levels etc, change very quickly, even within minutes.
Food which was scarce during the dry can explode, becoming abundant.
In effect a real famine to feast situation occurs.
The fish that live in these areas have evolved survival strategies that help them thrive in these hostile conditions.
Very high water temperatures can be experienced in summer, and relatively low temperatures during winter.
Food is in short supply. Dissolved oxygen can be very low.
Water can become clearer between rainfall or water flow events.
During water flows the water is extremely turbid.
If you put your finger into the water you literally can't see the end of your finger.
Most fish species would die, either directly from the poor water quality during dry periods, or the sudden changes in water quality, or from disease as a result of prolonged stress.
During the famine phase, jade perch have evolved to survive.
This makes them ideal for aquaculture.
They survive poor water quality, lack of quality food, and have great disease resistance.
All perfect qualities for aquaculture.
They also grow extra quickly during the "feast" conditions.
It is during the "feast" conditions that they need to grow fast so they can reproduce.
Their growth during the "feast" time is quite remarkable.
Again, a very desirable aquaculture quality.
By the way, these conditions generally occur in the warmer months.
They have the ability to compete with several other species that also share their environment.
One unusual example of how other fish have developed survival strategies is a catfish that lives in the same water as the jade perch.
There are several catfish that are native to these waters, one of them I call the eye eater.
It will pluck the eyes from any fish nearby.
I conclude this is a survival strategy that has evolved because a fish without eyes can't eat your food.
What happens during the "feast" time.
Local heavy rainfall or water flows from hundreds of kilometres away flood the dry river bed and surrounding areas.
This results in an explosion of phytoplankton which provides food to support an equally significant explosion of zooplankton.
This is the bottom end of the food chain that will support higher life forms such as shrimp, aquatic insects, and so on.
The larger items of the food chain are what the jade perch thrive on and grow extra fast.
Then they can breed, while the water is flowing.
When the eggs of the fish hatch, the larvae need the bottom end of the food chain, the phytoplankton and the zooplankton.
Wild fish go through harsh summer and winter periods, long dry times, and short "feast" times.
In aquaculture they are usually always in "feast" times.
It appears that, over several generations they lose the ability to resist disease, and the fast growing qualities that they needed in the wild. They no longer need to survive like they did in the wild.
Those good genes get lost. (Become recessive.)
That's why we cross a wild fish with our line bred fish to our gene pool fresh, and to keep those desired aquaculture qualities.
Click picture for information about aquaculture consulting services.
Below, we are selecting breeders from one of our brood fish ponds.
BELOW: Collecting wild jade perch in 2024
In the picture below the blue dot is the collecting site which is very close to the countries dry arid area.
Some of our equipment to transport the fish back to the hatchery.
Below: Sunset over the waterhole
* A recessive gene is a section of genetic information with a low probability of being expressed in the individual.
Silver Perch
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The PERCH MAN
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Silver perch definitely are NOT vegetarian, they are in fact omnivores.
SILVER PERCH - High in Omega-3
click to see 65,000 silver perch dance to music
Did you know how healthy silver perch are to eat?
They are a super food.
They are full of healthy Omega-3
CSIRO tests* showed that Australian silver perch had 792mg/100gms of omega-3.
*This testing was conducted at the CSIRO Marine Research Laboratories, Hobart as part of an FRDC project 99/331.
Silver perch fingerlings are an ideal fish for ponds and dams.
Be sure to check local regulations before stocking any fingerlings into your dam anywhere within Australia.
They are also good for aquaponicsin cooler climates where jade perchwon't handle the winter water temperatures.
When grown in tanks, silver perch fingerlings will only grow to about 300 to 350 grams in about a year, given reasonable growing conditions.
Unless it is a flow through system, then they will keep growing to reach about 500 to 800 grams in one to two years, depending on conditions.
In Singapore they have grown to 1 kg in 12 months.
That's because Singapore has a year round tropical climate, ideal for silver perch.
Silver perch have been farmed commercially for decades.
They are an ideal fish for growing in ponds, cages and raceways.
They will also grow in tanks, however some tank systems do not produce perfect results.
For reasons not fully understood, some tank systems seem to result in a growth barrier at about 300-350 grams.
For hobby backyard aquaponicsystems this probably won't be a problem as 350 grams is still a good plate size whole fish.
Back in 1916 silver perch were seen as a candidate for aquaculture.
In the early 1980's commercial production was trialled by the pioneers of a now well established industry.
The species has now been grown commercially for decades in many countries around the world.
The species is most popular in Asian countries.
They have the potential to grow to about 6-8 kilos. (Depending on which scientist you speak to.)
This is an Australian native species from the Murray Darling River Basin, the blue area in the map above.
The Murray/Darling Basin is the largest river basin in Australia, covering a very large inland area of Australia with a broad climate range.
Parts of the basin are quite arid.
Temperature ranges are broad and water chemistry varies considerably.
This all adds up to a sturdy fish that is not too demanding on the grower.
The Murray/Darling Basin is the largest river basin in Australia, covering a very large inland area of Australia with a broad climate range.
Parts of the basin are quite arid.
Temperature ranges are broad and water chemistry varies considerably.
This all adds up to a sturdy fish that is not too demanding on the grower.
Below is a tributary of the Murray river
Below 3 pictures of the mighty Murray River
Best results (growth) are achieved at optimum temperatures and water quality.
A temperature range between 23C and 28C is best, but they will tolerate as low as *2C and as high as 37C.
(*Fisheries Action Program Australian Department of Environment 2002.)
Professional growers achieve 600 to 800 grams in less than 18 months.
This is in Australia, where winter pond temperatures result in much slower growth than can be expected in a tropical climate.
They grow on a range of commercial diets, with a wide range of fat and protein contents.
Professional growers achieve 600 to 800 grams in less than 18 months.
This is in Australia, where winter pond temperatures result in much slower growth than can be expected in a tropical climate.
They grow on a range of commercial diets, with a wide range of fat and protein contents.
Silver perch are known to have very high levels of beneficial omega-3.
Research has shown they have one of the highest levels of omega-3 in seafood tested by the CSIRO.
It is noteworthy that the omega-3 content of the flesh will vary according to the diet used to grow the fish.
This means they not only are excellent table fish, but they are also very healthy to eat !
For a farm dam, Silver Perch can be stocked at about 300-400 per hectare if they are not fed, and up to 1000 per hectare if you can feed them regularly.
I recommended that, in dams, they be fed during the late afternoon.
When the shadows are across the water.
Feeding silver perch just before sunset will provide a spectacular display for your friends and visitors.
A great talking point for a barbie.
FOR THE FARM DAM
Silver Perch are omnivorous and will thrive in most farm dams.
Be sure to check local regulations before stocking any fingerlings into your dam anywhere within Australia.
For the Queensland information click here. You need to do your own research for other jurisdictions.
Silver perch definitely are NOT vegetarian, they are in fact omnivores.
However they are generally not considered to be predatory.
They will eat almost anything, animal or vegetable!
They will eat worms and most other aquatic life including weeds.
Should you add fingerlings in the future the older fish are very unlikely to eat the new fingerlings.
They readily take artificial food, such as aquaculture pellets, chook pellets or bread.
Bread or chook foods are not the best of diets for fish but will do in small quantities.
Aquaculture pellets are a properly balanced diet and fish will thrive on these commercially available foods.
As the Silver Perch soon come to know when they will be fed, they will be ready and waiting near the surface at feeding time.
I recommend silver perch be fed during the late afternoon when the shadows are across the water.
If they are fed early in the morning there is a risk that birds may eat your fish before you are up and about, especially in summer when it is light very early.
Remember the fish will be congregating in one spot waiting to be fed.
Feeding silver perch just before sunset will provide a spectacular display for your friends and visitors.
A great talking point for a barbie.
Any fisherman will tell you the best time to catch a fish is early in the morning, or in the evening as the sun is setting.
Australian perch do NOT like bright light.
An animals preferred activity time of the day can usually be broken down to three parts over 24 hours.
Nocturnal - active at night
Diurnal - active during the day
and
Crepuscular - active during the times between day and night, twilight periods.
Some light, but not bright light.
Silver perch prefer twilight periods.
They are generally Crepuscular.
Silver Perch that are being fed are very easy to catch, just add a hook to their food!?
Otherwise use worms fished on the bottom with a very light float.
On the table
Silver Perch are excellent eating but can sometimes have a weedy or muddy flavour.
It is best to hold live fish in very clean water for a week if the flavour is not pleasant.
Alternatively, only take fish for eating from your dam during dry spells when there is no run-off into the dam, and water is clear, not muddy or green. More information here
What do they like
Best temperature range 23C and 28C.
They will tolerate as low as 2C, and as high as 37C.
They will continue to grow well at temperatures above 15c.
Best pH range between 6.5 and 9.
Tolerate pH levels between 6 and 10
Salt Salinity levels of 5 grams per litre are safe.
Diet
Silver Perch are omnivorous and will thrive on most diets.
Although they might eat fish that can fit in their mouth, they are not really considered serious predators.
Should you add fingerlings to a dam in the future the older fish are very unlikely to eat the new fingerlings.
They readily take artificial food, such as aquaculture pellets, chook pellets or bread.
Bread or chook foods are not the best of diets for fish but will do in small quantities.
Aquaculture pellets are properly balanced diets that the fish will thrive on.
They will eat worms and most other aquatic life including aquatic weeds.
Disease Free Certification
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FISH HEALTH CERTIFICATION PROGRAM (FHCP)
Our fingerlings come from a disease free certified hatchery.
The FHCP places the following fish health and biosecurity conditions to ensure that fish health management is consistently maintained by
- Keeping of fish health records
- Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for quarantine, disinfection, disease investigation, disease treatment and control
- Reporting of significant or notifiable diseases
- Regular veterinary inspection program of the facility
Our hatchery has been submitting samples to the Queensland Government Biosecurity Sciences Laboratory for health testing.
These tests are comprehensive.
They include gross, and histology examination, (histopathology) of each sample submitted.
This is where the sample, (Usually about 30 fish from each batch or pond.) is sliced into ultra thin, transparent sections which are then examined under a microscope by a highly qualified Queensland Government fish pathologist.
These tests have been a requirement for batches of fish sent to aquaculture facilities outside the state of Queensland.
In 2010, our hatchery volunteered to participate in a new government scheme designed to better capture the health of fish at aquaculture facilitys.
This new scheme developed by the Queensland Government, the Fish Health Certification Program, (FHCP) requires samples to be sent on a regular basis regardless of where the fish were to be sold.
The FHCP carries out regular disease surveillance testing by gross and histopathology performed by the Biosecurity Sciences Laboratory (BSL) of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF-Qld), Queensland State Government.
It also requires regular inspections by a qualified veterinarian.
This is a more intensive, structured, program of testing and monitoring which would enhance our hatchery's ability to provide quality fish to its customers.
To date no OIE or quarantinable diseases have been detected.
Our hatchery has always considered fish health to be a high priority.
A new lab was constructed at Ausyfish in 2008.
This lab has several microscopes, one having a camera fitted creating a good training tool for staff.
If required Ausyfish will supply a health certificate and (OR) AQIS certificate to customers with their deliveries of fish.
TABLE SIZE FISH
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It's not so easy to find jade perch, or any Australian native freshwater fish, in any retail outlet in any of the Australian cities. There is not enough production for it to be offered to the broader market. It's a long story, but essentially most of these fish come from family businesses. Farms run by families. They are all making a good, secure living. It would be a big move, and risk, to jump to the "broader market", supermarket outlets. The Asian community in our cities pretty much consume all the production. I personally have been looking into the option to have it delivered to "mum's" door. It's an obvious market, health conscious mum, or just generally health conscious people that want to eat this regularly. The best I can do at the moment is send it in box lots, of whole, chilled jade, or silver perch, to your local airport, and you collect it there.
We would have to pack a minimum of 15kg.
Freight is minimal, I can let you know exactly if you are interested.
The fish will be $42 per KG.
Shipping is Tuesdays or Wednesdays, usually same day delivery.
If you are interested please text my mobile: 0407 797 149
ASIA
If you need supply of table size fish in Asia, I work with many growers in many countries.
We supply fry/fingerlings to many farms. Contact me if you want table ready jade perch.
Members Area Content Perch Man
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If you are thinking of farming fish start (click) here
All my contact details are here
In the Client area you can find information like this . . .
New webpage about keeping otters out of fish ponds
Pond design page up-dated extra information has been added
Liming fish pond (video)
Packing trial adult jade perch
Unpacking adult jade perch
New webpages about water quality
How to determine the stocking density for a commercial jade perch pond
RAS - Recirculating Aquaculture System
RAS with flow-through good or bad?
Pond compared to a RAS growing system.
Freshwater fish have a muddy or earthy taste
Click to see Unlisted video about aquaculture raceways to grow fish
Click to download Jade Perch Description and History PDF
Link to new "unlisted" video about Understanding The Habitat
New "private" video on Conditioning and Handling Brood Fish.
New private video on Male and Female Hormone Induction
New "private" video on Good Eggs and Bad Eggs.
New "private" video on Spawning Equipment For Jade and Silver Perch In Detail
Yes, I'm still active in the aquaculture industry. I sold my farm after 35 years.
Picture below
I am not interested in waiting around for my “heart attack” I’d rather keep active while I “wait.” (I'm in my mid seventies now.)
Now I am keen to help others develop their skills with Australian native freshwater fish.
I am very actively involved in consulting, which really means I am an active "teacher" of the things I learned when I developed my farm from 200 acres of bush land into the largest farm of its type in Australia.
I don't really have the time available for those who are not in a position to develop into serious producers.
However, for those who are serious, and actually have the potential to succeed, I am very keen to pass on skills and tricks I learned and discovered during the development of some of Australia’s freshwater fish into commercial species.
Click for short videoI am still selling fish to anyone interested in growing them as a hobby, (Small quantities only for Australian customers.) and to those that want commercial quantities, especially export markets.
I can deliver almost anywhere in the world. See this page for details
Do you know the difference between a good and a bad consultant?
A bad consultant knows everything.
A good consultant knows, he does not know everything, but he knows where to get accurate information for you.
Bruce Sambell, often called the Jade Perch Man, or Perch Man, is the founder and designer of Ausyfish
Bruce has been involved with fish at a commercial level for over 40 years.
His role as industry consultant has provided cross sector experience at many levels.
Sound advice is available to existing industry participants and especially those considering entering freshwater finfish aquaculture.
Bruce has gained considerable experience over the years as the commercial development of Australian native freshwater fish evolved in Australia.
Bruce was the first to breed many species, including sleepy codfreshwater archer fishand a number of Australian native freshwater fish including silver perch Australian rainbow fishcoal grunterAusytalian bassand Murray cod
Bruce also produced many varieties of exotic ornamental fish
Bruce was one of the first to ever spawn jade perch
He was on the very first expedition to central Australia to collect the first ever, wild jade perch breeders.
He has now been breeding them continually, longer than anyone currently in the industry.
Bruce was the founding president of the Aquaculture Association of Queensland Inc(AAQ) (For about 20 years.)
Bruce was also Vice President of the Queensland Aquaculture Industries Federation Inc., (QAIF) for over 3 years.
Bruce sat on the committee of QAIF for over 14 years.
Bruce also sat on a number of Government bodies as an industry consultant, including the Queensland Department of State Development and Innovation's Aquaculture Reference Group, the Queensland Freshwater Management Advisory Committee, the Translocation Sub-Committee for freshwater fish, and Queensland's Stocked Impoundment Permit Scheme Sub-Committee.
(An advisory body for stocking freshwater fish in lakes and rivers throughout Queensland for recreational anglers.)
He was also the industry "food safety" representative for a number of years.
As part of his role as industry leader he coordinated many major aquaculture conferences and training workshops.
He also sat on several regional advisory bodies, including, the Fisheries Regional Development Committee for Hervey Bay and the Fisheries Regional Development Committee, Bundaberg.
Why is this website here ?
A long time ago two of my best friends and mentors said that I should write a book. (Thanks Rick and John.)
However, I could not think of anything so boring as writing, or reading a book.
Especially these days with this new fangled thing called the internet.
The other problem with books is that new information can't be added to it once it's "on the shelf".
But this internet . . . wow, you can just add to or delete information as it becomes available. That's exactly what I do here.
THIS . . . is MY BOOK.
The other thing is with this new internet thing, you can include high quality pictures and VIDEO !
My hobby since I was a child has been photography, and making movies.
Now called "videography."
Well I am certainly not an expert but I do enjoy making videos, so I put it all together, on YouTube and in my webpages.
My channel has almost 200 videos.
Some of the videos are not public and can only be viewed by joining the members area of this websiteand some of the videos are private, "Premium Client Videos." Those videos are only available when a fee is paid. They are "how to" videos that show full commercial hands on processes
Most of what you will see is from my personal experiences and commercial practices.
It was also all happening as the commercial aquaculture of Australian species was developing.
I was able to work with the scientists as they developed the practices that are used today.
This was over decades of real scientific research and commercial experience and understanding of the Australian species.
How these fish actually work in nature has been the absolute key to my success.
For example, I see so many people try to figure out how to spawn these species and try to take short cuts and get the fish to do things they are not "designed" to do.
I'm not saying they are wrong.
The only way to develop something new is to try different things.
I also did this. People should continue to try different things.
That's how innovation happens. But without FIRST being successful in the normal way, the way the fish are "designed" for, success will always be delayed.
Yes, you might win the lottery, (Biological lottery) but that's just luck.
A true professional doesn't gamble. He is a builder.
Building on what is known to work first. Then try different ways.
That's how to make a successful business.
I have to admit, I have found it frustrating to have shown people how things DO WORK, only to come back later and hear they are failing. BUT they are not doing what I showed them.
Yes indeed, very frustrating.
Anyway, I hope I can pass on to you some useful tips and practices that will help you succeed.
To access this area of the jadeperch web site click on "membership" on the top menu bar.
Once you have signed up you will notice that the "membership" button on the menu bar now has a "Technical Information" drop down list.
Just click on Technical Information, and you are in.
Table fish direct to you
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Do you want fish that are table size ?
No problem !
It's not so easy to find silver or jade perch in any retail outlet in any of the Australian cities.
There is not enough production for it to be offered to the broader market.
It's a long story, but essentially all these fish come from family businesses.
Farms run by families.
They are all making a good, secure living. It would be a big move, and risk, to jump to the "boarder market", supermarket outlets.
The Asian community in our cities pretty much consume all the production.
It's an obvious market, health conscious mum, or just generally health conscious people that want to eat this regularly.
I can send it in a box lots, of whole, chilled jade, or silver perch, for collection from your local airport.
The minimum order is 15kg.
Shipping is with Qantas Freight on a same day service.
I have good freight rates.
To order email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for a quote to your local airport.
HONEY PERCH
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Australian Honey Perch (Hephaestus fuliginosus)
Honey Perch are a popular sport fishing species found across the tropical regions of Australia.
Commonly called sooty grunter or black bream.
Click for video
 |
Abundant throughout coastal drainages of Northern Territory, Gulf of Carpentaria and North Eastern Queensland. Sports fisherman know them as sooty grunter.
They are also known as black bream in some areas, however, there are many freshwater fish in Australia that local citizens call black bream, including silver perch and jade perch.
They have a white flaky flesh, with a delicate flavour considered by many people in Australia to be superior to other freshwater fish.
The species appears to be unsuitable for aquaculture.
They have been trailed in Singapore, Malaysia and in Hong Kong the Inland Culture Development Section of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department are conducting research on the species.
They were found to be too slow to reach table size.
They readily accept commercial pellets. Even wild caught fish kept in tanks readily accept any food.
Water temperatures should be in the range of 25 to 30c.
They grow to about 54 centimetres and can weigh over 6kg.
They can manage PH as low as 4.0 and temperature ranges between 11c and 35c.
For best growth, maintain them between 25c and 30c.
They are an Omnivorous species. Diets that are suitable for jade perch, silver perch or tilapia would suit honey perch.
Although, they are generally not aggressive towards each other, because this species has not yet been grown in intensive aquaculture systems, careful observation should be practiced to monitor any potential cannibalism or aggressive behaviour.
As I always say, if it is small enough to fit in their mouth, it will probably end up in there !
We choose our breeders for their shape, and most important, their colour.
We also use fish that are from east of the Great Dividing Range, and from the western side.
The genetic difference may result in faster growth rates.
Although, technically they are the same species, there is a very great historic distance between the two populations.
This may well result in some (hybrid) growth vigour.
Very similar to khaki grunter but haslonger head profile.
This can be seen in the picture below showing both species.
When pelvic fins pressed against the body they don´t reach the anus as it does with the khaki grunter.
Shown below left is a honey perch with a Khaki perch.
These fish were just caught in the wild and photographed immediately.
To see full size pictures, right click and open in new tab.
Below are honey perch fry.
Below: Honey Perch and habitat
Habitat
Sleepy Cod (Oxyeleotris lineolata) General information
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Sleepy cod or soon hock or Australian marble goby
Soon hock = Oxyeleotris marmorata
Australian sleepy cod = Oxyeleotris lineolata
The Perch Man, Bruce Sambell, was the first person to ever breed this species in captivity, and the first person to produce a commercial crop of fry/fingerlings.
More information can be found in the Members Area
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Click pictures below for video
Below a male Australian sleepy cod breeder.
Below a very rare gold form of Australian sleepy cod.
This page contains general information about sleepy cod.
For more information go to the members area
One of the most promising fish for future aquaculture.
- This fish has many qualities that give it all-round appeal as an aquaculture species
- It has been argued that this species has the best eating quality of all Australian freshwater fish
- Extremely easy to transport at high densities
- High flesh recovery
- Can be kept and grown in high densities
- Perfect in a RAS
- The Fitzroy/Dawson River strain grows better than northern strain for aquaculture
- Recirculating systems necessary for grow-out
- Must be stocked at high densities
- High fat diets, (15-20%) are undesirable as the fat damages the liver, this will affect FCR because the liver is an important part of the digestive system
- Placid and easy to handle
- No spines in fins or gills
- Fitzroy/Dawson strain genetically distinct from northern strain
- Sleepy cod grow faster in tanks than in ponds
- Males grow slower
- Best above 26C. Below 22C not recommended, with problems below 18C
- They can produce huge numbers of eggs, up to at least 170,000 for larger fish! Information on breeding is available to clients. click here
COLOUR
The colour of sleepy cod can change according to environmental conditions.
It is possible to manipulate their colour to provide fish to the market in a preferred colour.
By this I mean lighter or darker, or even more marbled, but you can't change to the colours seen below.
These are very rare.
Temperature and light are other factors that effect the fishes colour.
They are capable of changing colour within a few minutes.
Sometimes very rare colour forms of sleepy cod occur.
These fish are only found in one or two streams in Queensland, and in the Pioneer River in the Kimberley region of Northern Australia.
The ones from the Kimberley region are a different species, (Oxeleotris selheimi) to those in Southern Queensland, (Oxyeleotris lineolata).
We are breeding from these fish to develop more attractive colour forms.
I have kept many of these "coloured" fish.
Occasionally I have had one of these coloured fish actually change colour over weeks.
The orange fish in the picture below changed to a marbled orange/brown fish over a couple of weeks.
We continued to use it as a breeder because it had the orange gene.
The pictures below are of the Kimberley fish.
This is a very rare catch made in 2020 by researchers.
It was returned to the water unharmed.
Below, click for video. sleepy cod fingerling
CULTURE METHOD
Sleepy cod are not suitable for free-range pond culture as they are highly carnivorous and cannibalistic, as well as very territorial.
Sleepy cod are not suitable for free-range pond culture as they are highly carnivorous and cannibalistic, as well as very territorial.
They are able to eat other sleepy cod fingerlings up to half their size.
It is necessary to grade fingerlings regularly.
It is also possible for the fish to stop feeding on the artificial diet if they are in an open environment.
Best culture methods include, tanks (RAS), cages, raceways, and partitioned aquaculture systems (PAS).
Weaned fingerlings that have been feeding on pellets are generally past the cannibalistic phase, however if not stocked at high densities they will begin to eat each other again.
HOW MANY SLEEPY COD SPECIES ARE THERE ?
- Oxyeleotris lineolata (Sleepy Cod): Found in Australia, this species is characterized by its dark brown color with paler sides and indistinct darker stripes.
- Oxyeleotris marmorata (Marbled Goby): Known for its marbled or mottled appearance, this species is found in Southeast Asia.
- Oxyeleotris selheimi (Blackbanded Gudgeon): Also found in Australia, this species has a dark brown coloration with narrow dark stripes along the sides and small dark spots on the fins.
- Oxyeleotris fimbriata (Fimbriate Gudgeon): This species is found in New Guinea and is characterized by its distinct markings and coloration, with a pale brown head and back, dark brown sides, and a whitish belly.
- Oxyeleotris aruensis (Aru Gudgeon): Found in New Guinea and surrounding islands.
- Oxyeleotris heterodon (Sentani Gudgeon): Found in Lake Sentani, New Guinea.
- Oxyeleotris nullipora (Poreless Gudgeon): Found in Australia.
- Oxyeleotris stagnicola (Swamp Gudgeon): Found in New Guinea.
- Oxyeleotris urophthalmoides: Found in Southeast Asia.
- Oxyeleotris urophthalmus: Found in Southeast Asia.
- Oxyeleotris wisselensis (Paniai Gudgeon): Found in New Guinea.
- Oxyeleotris altipinna: Found in New Guinea.
- Oxyeleotris caeca: Found in New Guinea.
- Oxyeleotris colasi: Found in New Guinea.
- Oxyeleotris herwerdenii (Blackbanded Gauvina): Found in New Guinea.
- Oxyeleotris paucipora: Found in Australia.
- Oxyeleotris siamensis: Found in Southeast Asia.
Links to information
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Welcome to the Perch Man website.
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The PERCH MAN Site last updated February 15th 2026
Jade perch and silver perch fingerlings available now.
See link to prices below.
This website containes knowledge gained over almost 40 years.
You can find information about many Australian native freshwater fish species.
You can order fingerlings here too.
What can I help you with ?
. . . click links below
HOW TO USE THE MEMBERS AREA
To sign up, and pay the membership fee, email me directly. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
To access this area of the website click on "membership" on the top menu bar.
Once you have signed up you will notice that the "membership" button on the menue bar now has a "Technical Information" drop down.
Just click on Technical Information, and you are in.
The members area has detailed information about Australian freshwater fish, including growing and disease management
AUSTRALIAN BASS - Macquaria novemaculeata
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Click to find out if these fish are suitable for farm dams
It prefers cooler water but will tolerate tropical temperatures.
Its flesh is white and flaky.
It has a deliciously delicate flavour.
They will live in full sea water or completely fresh water.
This makes many disease out breaks very easy to manage because most diseases can't survive in high salt.
Their natural range is from Bundaberg in Southern Queensland all the way down to Wilsons Promontory, the southernmost tip of Victoria, and the southernmost part of Australia.
They are found in the uppermost reaches of freshwater rivers and streams during summer, and move down to estuaries during winter.
The oldest bass recorded was 47 years old.
Australian bass vary in colour from metallic gold to greenish bronze.
Their colour will change according to the surroundings.
See bass being spawned
Click to see half a million tiny baby bass
GOLDEN PERCH
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In a recently published research paper, Oficialdegui et al. (2025) showed that global aquaculture has increasingly relied on farming species outside their native ranges. Indeed, the study identified that the annual growth rate of non-native species produced in aquaculture now exceeds that of native species — and in 2022 alone, 32 million tonnes of non-native aquatic species were farmed, accounting for 37% of the world’s total aquaculture production.
Source: Aquaculture Magazine, 3rd Feb 2026 https://aquaculturemag.com/
Golden perch are ONLY found in Australia
There are three species of Golden Perch.
Macquaria ambigua ambigua from the Murray Darling River Basins
Macquaria ambigua oriens from the Fitzroy Dawson river basins
Macquaria Sp from the Lake Eyre Basin
Only the species from the Lake Eyre Basin has proven to be commercially suitable for aquaculture.
The other species failed to grow at commercial rates.
BELOW: Lake Eyre golden
BELOW: Murray Darling
BELOW: Fitzroy Dawson
The species from the Murray Darling River Basin is Macquaria ambigua ambigua.
Below the Murray River
The species from the Fitzroy Dawson river Basins is, Macquaria ambigua oriens.
Below the Dawson River
The species from the Lake Eyre Basin has not yet been described.
It is simply known as Macquaria sp.
Below the Thompson River. Part of the Lake Eyer Basin.
The map below shows the three river basins
BLUE: Murray/Darling Basin
RED: Lake Eyre Basin
YELLOW: Fitzroy/Dawson Basin
About Lake Eyre: Lake Eyre is a large, usually dry salt pan in the South Australian Outback, a dry and isolated environment.
Actually, it is Australia's largest salt lake.
It actually consists of two lakes, Lake Eyre North (8,430 km²) and Lake Eyre South (1,260 km²), connected by Goyder Channel which has a length of 15 km.
The huge salt lake is the terminal point of Australia's largest drainage system, the Lake Eyre basin.
The lake is also Australia's lowest point with 15.2 m below sea level in Belt Bay and Madigan Gulf.
The main tributaries into the lake are the rivers in south-west Queensland, the Diamantina and Georgina river systems and Cooper Creek.
Although these rivers flow quite frequently, they rarely reach Lake Eyre. 1990, Cooper Creek reached the lake for the first time in more than 20 years.
It took another 20 years until the Cooper made it to the lake again.
Western tributaries are the Neales and Macumba rivers.
In 1984 and 1989 the western tributaries filled Lake Eyre South within a few days.
Actually, it is Australia's largest salt lake.
It actually consists of two lakes, Lake Eyre North (8,430 km²) and Lake Eyre South (1,260 km²), connected by Goyder Channel which has a length of 15 km.
The huge salt lake is the terminal point of Australia's largest drainage system, the Lake Eyre basin.
The lake is also Australia's lowest point with 15.2 m below sea level in Belt Bay and Madigan Gulf.
The main tributaries into the lake are the rivers in south-west Queensland, the Diamantina and Georgina river systems and Cooper Creek.
Although these rivers flow quite frequently, they rarely reach Lake Eyre. 1990, Cooper Creek reached the lake for the first time in more than 20 years.
It took another 20 years until the Cooper made it to the lake again.
Western tributaries are the Neales and Macumba rivers.
In 1984 and 1989 the western tributaries filled Lake Eyre South within a few days.
Finally, the water overflowed to Lake Eyre North.
This is recorded as a very rare event, usually the northern lake fills first, and overflows the southern part.
This is recorded as a very rare event, usually the northern lake fills first, and overflows the southern part.
Prior to these events, it previously filled in 1950.
It is a fact that the lake had only filled to its full capacity three or four times within the last 150 years.
It only takes about two and a half years to dry up.
It is a fact that the lake had only filled to its full capacity three or four times within the last 150 years.
It only takes about two and a half years to dry up.
Micro Chip Management of Brood Fish
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Quality fingerlings don't just happen.
Quality fry/fingerlings are the result of good brood fish management.
We produce fish, specifically for grow out farms.
For over a quarter of a century we have been line breeding our fish.
Selecting for desirable qualities such as body shape, disease resistance, spots, and of course, fast growers.
Our breeders have been selected each season from fish obtained from our fingerling customers in Australia and our own "super shooters", and fresh wild fish.
That is many generations of line bred fish!
No hatchery anywhere has this history of line breeding Australian perch !
The fish we select from our Australian fingerling customers have been chosen from the first harvest of grow-out ponds.
This means, we chose, usually about 50 fish from the very biggest of the pond being harvested, for the first time.
That is, 50 out of tens thousands of fish.
We also keep some fish from our own fingerling ponds.
These particular fish are exceptional growers. I call them "super shooters."
When we stock one of our ponds with larvae to grow on to fry for our customers, there are often a couple of fish that stand out.
The pond harvest is tens of thousands of fish, and 2 to 5 of these fish are outstanding.
The average weight of the fish being harvested may be about .3 of a gram, but these super shooters weigh many grams each.
Hundreds of times bigger than the other fish in the pond.
We also, under special permit, collect fresh wild fish to prevent our fish from becoming, inbred.
We do this under advice from scientists and geneticists.
They are the experts, and they advise us that if we don not introduce fresh wild genes we may find issues developing in our fingerlings and fry.
Issues such as physical deformities, poor disease resistance, poor growth performance.
Poor growth performance may manifest itself in a number of ways.
Slow growth over the entire grow-out phase, or poor growth performance after the fish reach a certain size.
For example, fish may reach 500 grams quickly, but do not reach 800 - 850 grams as quickly as they did in earlier generations of fish.
Australian growers reported, very early in the history of the perch grow-out in Australia, that it was easy to grow fish from 500 grams to 800 grams.
They reported that this is where the easy profit was to be made.
That is not the case now, with some farms.
Those farms find that the fish growth slowed noticeable after 500 grams.
This can be common in some species of fish.
Take tilapia for example.
This species can stunt readily.
They have been commonly reported to become reproductive at a very small size, with very slow growth performance.
This should be taken as a warning that inattention to genetic management can and does result in catastrophic loss of profit to grow-out farms.
Another vital consideration not to be underestimated, is the great advantage perch have to grow and survive in hostile conditions.
This is particularly relevant for jade perch.
Their natural environment is far from perfect.
To survive and grow in the wild, these fish must possess genetic qualities that make it possible to survive and thrive in such impossible conditions.
This is one of the reasons we regularly introduce "wild" genes" from wild breeders collected from the Barcoo River.
This helps to maintain these desirable qualities in our fry.
Disease resistance, body shape, colour, and spots are the "aquaculture" qualities we need to maintain.
Read more about our breeding program
One of the important ways we manage our genetics is the use of micro chips.
Breeders are micro chipped so we can identify individual fish.
We know exactly which fish were the parents of every batch of fry/fingerlings.
We have enhanced our management of brood fish to avoid inbreeding.
Other countries have experienced inbreeding issues which have resulted in the loss of disease resistance, and slow growth rates over 500 grams.
Spots have also been lost by some hatcheries.
We have been line breeding for over 25 years.
Wild fish are introduced into the blood line at intervals to maintain the desirable qualities jade perch inherit from their ancestors.
Scientists have advised us that we need to introduce wild genes to avoid loosing the special qualities that are so desirable in jade perch, such as fast growing, and disease resistance.
Spots are something we have recently been selecting for because of requests from Asian customers.
What is a microchip?
Microchips, or PIT tags, Passive Integrated Transponders, are used for identification of individual fish.
They are inserted under the skin or into the muscle of the fish, usually next to the dorsal fin.
They are inserted using a, single use, special applicator.
The micro chips do not interfere with an animal’s normal functions.
This process is carried out while the fish is anesthetized.
Anaesthesia is recommended for the safety of the fish as struggling during handling can result in injury to the fish and the person inserting the chip.
A microchip is a small electronic device about the thickness of a ball point pen refill, and about 12mm long.
Each microchip contains a silicon chip that is encoded with an individual number.
The components are sealed in biocompatible glass which renders the chip inert when implanted into an animal.
To read the number, a scanner is moved over the implanted microchip and a signal passes between the chip and the scanner.
The scanner translates the signal and displays it on a screen as a number.
Prior to implantation, the implant site is swabbed with dilute antiseptic (e.g. Betadine or alcohol).
Prior to implantation, the implant site is swabbed with dilute antiseptic (e.g. Betadine or alcohol).
We inserted the chips on the left side at the base of the dorsal fin.
Glass chips should not be used if there is any chance the fish may be used for human consumption.
Tissue glue is used to seal the insertion site.
Tissue glue is used to seal the insertion site.
More about brood fish management here.
References
Australian code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes (8th Edition 2013).
SILVER PERCH FINGERLINGS
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The PERCH MAN
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SILVER PERCH FINGERLINGS
To order fingerlings or fish food email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
click to see 65,000 silver perch dance to music
BUY SILVER PERCH FINGERLINGS
Did you know how healthy silver perch are to eat?
They are a super food.
They are full of healthy Omega-3. CSIRO tests* showed that Australian jade perch contained an incredible 2,483mg/100gm of omega-3 oils, and Australian silver perch had 792mg/100gms of omega-3.
*This testing was conducted at the CSIRO Marine Research Laboratories, Hobart as part of an FRDC project 99/331.
Silver perch fingerlings are an ideal fish for ponds and dams.
Silver perch fingerlings are an ideal fish for ponds and dams.
Be sure to check local regulations before stocking any fingerlings into your dam anywhere within Australia.
They are also good for aquaponics in cooler climates where jade perch won't handle the winter water temperatures.
When grown in tanks, silver perch fingerlings will grow to about 300 to 350 grams in about a year, given reasonable growing conditions.
Unless it is a flow through system, then they will keep growing to reach about 500 to 800 grams in one and a half to two years.
ALL SILVER PERCH ARE POND WEANED TO COMMERCIAL FEED
Perch On The Table
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WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?
1. The price between Jade Perch, Silver Perch and Sleepy Cod
Jade and silver perch fry are the same price.
Sleepy cod are more expensive and the price varies from season to season, depending on breeding success.
2.The growth rate between Jade Perch, Silver Perch and Sleepy Cod.
Sleepy cod are slower growers than the perch.
Little or no, commercial figures are available for this species.
I have published some data in the members area of this website.
They perform best in tropical conditions.
In Australia winter temperatures result in very slow growth.
I am told by my clients in China that they have achieved quite good growth in RAS at high temperatures.
Jade perch compered to silver perch.
Jade perch grow very fast in tropical conditions than silver perch.
In a tropical climate, my best information based on several client's experience, would be that jade perch would be about 1kg in about 10 months.
Silver perch about 1kg in 12 months in a tropical climate.
Market size in Australia is generally about 800 grams.
3.The meat quality between Jade Perch, Silver Perch and Sleepy Cod.
Silver and jade perch have different fat content
Westerners prefer the silver perch because it is less fatty.
Asian taste prefer jade perch because of the flavour of the fat.
In fact, one of my clients in Hong Kong told me silver perch does not have enough flavour.
He prefers the blend of fat and lean meat which gives it its distinctive flavour and texture.
Personally I like both, but the silver perch does have a more delicate flavour.
Sleepy cod are quite different to the perch.
They have virtually no fat in their meat.
The flesh is more flaky than perch.
It has been compered to high end reef fish.
It is generally considered to be the best freshwater table fish in Australia.
4.The market acceptance in Australia between Jade Perch, Silver Perch and Sleepy Cod.
All of these species have enjoyed market acceptance to the point that there is never enough production to meet demand.
The supply has been almost exclusively absorbed by the Asian community in Sydney and Brisbane, with Melbourne only receiving a trickle of production.
The production of these fish in Australia is from relatively small family business.
These businesses have been steadily increasing production as their business model has allowed.
No major cooperate investment has occurred.
Supermarkets chains have not been able to find significant, reliable, long term supplies.
5. Value of table size fish.
Sleepy cod will achieve a much higher price per fish or per kilo.
Silver perch will achieve a slightly higher price compared to jade perch.
Hints and recipes for jade and silver perch
Want fish that are table size
It's no so easy to find jade perch in any retail outlet in any of the Australian cities.
There is not enough production for it to be offered to the broader market.
It's a long story, but essentially all these fish come from family businesses.
Farms run by families.
They are all making a good, secure living.
It would be a big move, and risk, to jump to the "boarder market", supermarket outlets.
The Asian community in our cities pretty much consume all the production.
I personally have been looking into the option to have it delivered to "mum's" door.
It's an obvious market, health conscious mum, or just generally health conscious people that want to eat this regularly.
The best I can do at the moment is send it in a box lots, of whole, chilled jade, or silver perch, which you must collect from your local airport, and you collect it there.
We would have to pack a minimum of 15kg.
Freight is minimal, I can let you know exactly if you are interested.
The fish will be $22 per KG.
Delivery to your nearest Qantas depot. (I have a good freight rate.)
You can pick it up next morning.
We can sometimes send on a direct Sydney flight to arrive in a couple of hours from packing, or a few more hours to Melbourne or Adelaide. Email me if you are interested: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Freshwater fish have a muddy or earthy taste
Click here to find more recipes
This recipe won the Aquaculture Association of Queensland 2018 cooking competition
Prep time 20 minutes. Cook time 25 minutes
Ingredients
1 kg Sushi rice
1 bottle Sushi seasoning
4 Jade Perch fillets
2 cups mirin
Japanese rice wine condiment
2 cups light soy sauce
Preferably Japanese style
1 cup Brown Sugar
Instructions
1:cook sushi rice according to packet instructions.
1 bottle Sushi seasoning
4 Jade Perch fillets
2 cups mirin
Japanese rice wine condiment
2 cups light soy sauce
Preferably Japanese style
1 cup Brown Sugar
Instructions
1:cook sushi rice according to packet instructions.
Then add sushi seasoning and cool on flat tray.
Place weights on rice to make a firm even rectangle and chill.
2: Combine mirin, soy sauce and sugar in a pan and reduce by half.
3: Carefully fillet your Jade perch remove all pin bones and de-scale.
4:Place Jade perch fillet on grill, BBQ or in frying pan.
2: Combine mirin, soy sauce and sugar in a pan and reduce by half.
3: Carefully fillet your Jade perch remove all pin bones and de-scale.
4:Place Jade perch fillet on grill, BBQ or in frying pan.
Brush sauce over fish and continue turning and brushing sauce layering more and more sauce each time the fish is turned over.
5: Cut chilled rice into small rectangles and then add lacquered fish fillets on top of sushi rice.
6: Serve with pickled ginger, soy sauce and wasabi.
5: Cut chilled rice into small rectangles and then add lacquered fish fillets on top of sushi rice.
6: Serve with pickled ginger, soy sauce and wasabi.
This recipe won the Aquaculture Association of Queensland 2017 cooking competition.
Prep time 30 minutes. Cook time 15 minutes.
Ingredients
4 Jade Perch fillets
10 fl oz Chicken Stock
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/3 cup Brown sugar
1 tea spoon grated fresh ginger
1 table spoon cornflour
1 orange juice and zest
Instructions
1. In a saucepan whisk together stock, soy, sugar, ginger, cornflour, orange juice and zest.
2. Bring to the boil, whisk lower heat and cool.
3. Place fish fillets in glaze and refrigerate for one hour.
4. Sear fish on BBQ or grill 2 minutes each side.
1. In a saucepan whisk together stock, soy, sugar, ginger, cornflour, orange juice and zest.
2. Bring to the boil, whisk lower heat and cool.
3. Place fish fillets in glaze and refrigerate for one hour.
4. Sear fish on BBQ or grill 2 minutes each side.
Lower heat and cook through for a further few minutes depending on fish thickness.
Be careful as glaze burns easily.
5. Pour remaining sauce into a small saucepan and boil then pour over fish and serve.
5. Pour remaining sauce into a small saucepan and boil then pour over fish and serve.
The following recipe was prepared by Martin Nash
Below: Martin Nash and the perch man with a pair of jade perch at the Ausyfish hatchery
Below: Martin Nash helps harvest jade perch at Ausyfish hatchery
Thai Fish Cakes with cucumber sauce
Ingredients
500g silver perch or jade perch fillets, de-boned
2 teaspoons Thai red curry paste
pinch of salt
1 tablespoon fish sauce
3 snake or green beans, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon coarsely chopped coriander leaves
corn, vegetable or peanut oil
Method
Cut the fish into 2cm (3/4") cubes and blend in a food processor until it becomes a paste.
Then add the fish sauce, paste and salt and blend for about 30 seconds.
Transfer it to a bowl and mix the beans and coriander in thoroughly with a wooden spoon.
Dip your hands in cold water first to prevent the mixture sticking, then take a small amount of mixture and make flattish fish cakes about 5cm (2") diameter and 2.5cm (1") thick.
To cook, shallow fry them in a fry pan by heating the oil and frying them on both sides for about 2 minutes each, turning only once.
Drain them on kitchen paper.
Serve with cucumber dipping sauce.
Makes 12 fish cakes
Cucumber Sauce
Ingredients
80ml water
60ml white vinegar
60g sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 cucumber
1 shallot or small onion, thinly sliced
1 small red chilli, seeds removed and chopped finely
1/2 tablespoon fish sauce
4 stalks fresh coriander, finely sliced
2 tablespoons very finely diced carrots
1 tablespoon chopped roasted peanuts
1 tablespoon chopped coriander leaves
Method
Over a medium heat, in a small saucepan, bring to boil the water, vinegar, sugar and salt.
Remove from heat and cool.
Peel and slice the cucumber in half along its length then slice thinly.
Place in a bowl and add the shallot or onion, chilli, fish sauce, coriander stalks and carrots and mix.
Add the cooled vinegar mix.
Garnish with chopped peanuts and coriander leaves just prior to serving with the fish cakes.
Australian native freshwater fish how can I help
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The PERCH MAN Website updated February 14th 2026
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Jade perch and silver perch fingerlings available now.
See link to prices below.
This website contains knowledge gained over almost 40 years.
You can find information about many Australian native freshwater fish species.
You can order fingerlings here too.
What can I help you with ?
. . . click links below
HOW TO USE THE MEMBERS AREA
To sign up, and pay the membership fee, email me directly. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
To access this area of the website click on "membership" on the top menu bar.
Once you have signed up you will notice that the "membership" button on the menu bar now has a "Technical Information" drop down.
Just click on Technical Information, and you are in.
The members area has detailed information about Australian freshwater fish, including growing and disease management
Microscopes
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Why would you use a microscope?
Early detection of diseases can prevent fish losses, which equals saving you money.
A microscope will help you identify diseases.
Click hereto see how to use your phone to record video and take pictures from your microscope.
You can send me pictures so I can help you with any issues you might have,
In a basic aquatic environment, Host + Pathogen + Unsuitable Environment = Disease.
Growing fish in an artificial environment usually = unsuitable environment.
Its not that your have a bad system, or something is wrong with your pond or tank water.
It's just that it is not a natural environment. Particularly when it comes to stocking density.
Therefore if we had a situation free of any one of the above mentioned components, will reduce or remove the possibility of disease occurring.
Disease causing organisms are usually present most of the time, even in good conditions, and especially in open ponds.
All it just takes a stress of some kind, whether it be temperature, water quality, handling etc to occur and this stress can reduce the fishes natural immune response.
Whilst the immune response of the fish is hampered, diseases are able to take hold, probably affecting productivity and fish performance or even to the point of killing them.
Neither scenario makes for profitable farming.
That’s where microscopes can be a powerful management tool to a fish grower.
You need to know how to use them and what sort to use.
There three main types of microscopes, the Stereo Monocular and Binocular and Dissecting Microscopes.
I use a compound binocular microscope. X40 for a quick scan. X100 for most Protozoa and X 1000 for great detail if needed.
Having a good microscope is great but using it correctly makes the difference.
Good brand new can cost from au$700+.
It is import to take regular samples of fish for observation, as early detection of disease, will save you fish losses.
The easiest and most common sample is a skin smear.
Gil samples should also be taken.
Common infections include:
- Monogenean infestations from Gyrodactylid or Dactylogrids, commonly referred to as flukes, a type of parasite.
- Ectoparasitic Protozoans such as White Spot (Ich Infection), Chilodonella & Trichodina, also types of parasites.
- Bacterial, Columnaris Infection
- Fungal Infection, Saprolegnia
The members area of this web site has detailed information about jade perch, including growing and disease management
Below: Dust and moisture are the enemy of microscopes.
keep them covered or in their box when not in use.
Below: A high power binocular with camera.
A low power dissecting microscope is ideal for looking at larger pathogens such as Anchor worm (Lernaea) and Argulus, or fish lice, and any larger objects.
If you look closely at this picture, (or right click and open picture in a new tab.) you will see there is corrosion from the salty water that came in with the samples.
This microscope is well over 20 years old, and it could have lasted another 20 years if it had been maintained correctly.
Below a low powered binocular microscope best for dissecting, viewing oocytes and larvae.
Below: I use the dissecting microscope to look at larvae as well as pathogens.
The jade perch larvae below are 5 days old.
You can see their stomach is full of food.
Below click to view a YouTube video of larvae hatching under the dissecting microscope
Beware the "impostor fish"
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Click to download Jade Perch Description and History PDF.
It looks like a jade perch, but it does NOT have the aquaculture and table qualities of genuine jade perch.
It is chewy, tough, impossible to eat!
Locally it is known as the "leathery grunter."
Called leathery grunter because it is like chewing a piece of leather.
Check for yourself. Google "Scortum species." or "leathery grunter."
BELOW:
This map shows, in red, the Lake Eyre Basin.
The only place genuine jade perch come from.
The Fitzroy/Dawson River Basins in yellow, and the Murray/Darling River Basins in blue.
BELOW: This map shows the distribution of all the scortum species.
Scortum species can be found in most of Queensland, the Northern Terratory and and South Australia.
Only the the scortum fish from the Barcoo River are proven to have the desired qualities for the table and aquaculture.
Click on the map to see all the river basins where Scortum species exist in Australia.
Some of them are in areas where life for a fish is pretty good, especially compared to the terrible conditions for fish in the Lake Eyre Basin, where jade perch, (Scortum barcoo) come from.
Note that scortum barcoo ONLY exist in the Lake Eyre Basin.
Even I can't tell them apart.
THEY LOOK THE SAME.
The pictures belwo are Scortum hillii.
Can you pick the difference?
Scortum hillii, AKA, leathery grunter come from the Fitzroy/Dawson River Basins.
Be aware that aquacultured fish have a completely different body shape to wild fish.
That is because of the diet used for aquacultured fish, compared to the natural diet of wild fish.
You can see in this video of me catching jade perch in the Barcoo Riverthat those fish have the same body shape as the one in the picture here.
The environment where the leathery grunter are native to, is generally less hostile compared to the natural habitat of the jade perch.
BELOW: The Dawson River is the home of Scortum hillii
The common name of the jade perch in the region they are found is often black bream, but the local people where the Scortum hillii are found call them leathery grunter !
Also pictured at the bottom of this page, is a cohabitant of the same water with the Scortum hillii, a large fork-tail catfish.
There are similar fish to the leathery grunter right across the east coast and the top end of Australia.
Beware of the impostor fish.
Only purchase fingerlings or fry from a reputable hatchery with the experience to know the difference.
It is expensive to grow a whole crop of fish, only to find out they are not suitable for the table.
There are at least 6 scortum species in Australia alone and more can be found in New Guinea.
Other scortum species found across the northern tropics of Australia include, Scortum Scortum ogilbyi, Scortum-neili, Scortum parviceps etc..
None of these fish have proven aquaculture qualities.
Nore are they proven to be suitable as table fish, rather, the opposite like the leathery grunter.
Most of the east coast and northern river basins in these parts of Australia are good environments for fish.
In other words, life for fish in those rivers is easy.
Only the Lake Eyre Basin has the hostile environment where life as a fish is difficult.
The Barcoo River, where ALL my breeders originate from is a hard place to survive.
These fish MUST have special qualities to survive.
This is what surely makes them ideal for aquaculture.
Beware of fry or fingerlings that are not from a trusted hatchery.
Only scortum barcoo have the track record of being ideal table and aquaculture species.
CLICK TO READ ABOUT MY BREEDING PROGRAM
BELOW: John Austin with a large forktail catfish.
Dr Stuart J Rowland
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Prior to retiring, Dr Stuart Rowland was a Senior Research Scientist with the NSW Department of Primary Industries.
He was the Scientist-in-Charge of the NSW Fisheries Grafton Aquaculture Centre.
The breeding and growing methods we use today, for jade perch and silver perch, have been developed from the lifetime dedication to researching Australia's freshwater native species by Dr. Rowland.
Dr Stuart Rowland, (Now retired.) was involved with research into the taxonomy, biology, conservation and aquaculture of Australian native freshwater fishes for 30 years.
While based at the Inland Fisheries Research Station, Narrandera between 1978 and 1985, he developed techniques for the hormone-induced spawning and larval rearing of Murray cod (Maccullochella peelii peelii), golden perch (Macquaria ambigua) and silver perch (Bidyanus bidyanus).
These techniques form the basis of a hatchery industry (both commercial and Government) that produce millions fingerlings annually for stock enhancement, conservation and commercial aquaculture.
Stuart studied aspects of the biology (history, fishery, age and growth, reproduction, diseases) of Australia’s largest and most famous inland fish, the Murray cod.
This research lead to a better understanding of the biology of cod and the formulation of new fisheries management regulations.
The significant recovery of Murray cod in the Murray Darling river basins has been due, in part to the protection of stocks through these regulations.
During this research, a new species, the eastern freshwater cod (Maccullochella ikei) and a new sub-species, the Mary River cod (M. peelii mariensis) were identified and named; both cod species are classified as “Endangered”.
Stuart selected a site and designed the Grafton Aquaculture Centre, and ran one of Australia’s first fish conservation projects for eastern freshwater cod during the 1980’s.
He supervised a research project on the ecology and conservation of eastern freshwater cod.
Since 1990, Stuart’s aquaculture research projects have developed husbandry and production techniques, water quality and health management programs, diets and a feeding strategy for the culture of silver perch.
His research includes diseases and health management, genetic improvement and cage culture.
Silver perch is an excellent species for commercial culture with the potential to form a large industry based on high-volume, low-cost production.
Stuart provided an extension service for the silver perch and other freshwater aquaculture industries, and his expertise was sought by scientists in Australia and overseas.
He also provided advice on aquaculture, water quality, diseases of native freshwater fishes, conservation, and biological and management issues to fisheries managers in NSW, and scientists and managers in other states.
This picture of Stuart was taken back in 1982
Stuart was an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Graduate Research College, Southern Cross University, he supervised many PhD students.
He was a member of the National Murray Cod Taskforce, the Clarence River Monitoring Committee, and the NSW Fisheries Scientific Committee.
He has organised and run numerous national and international conferences and conference sessions.
Stuart has been a pioneer in a number of areas of research into Australian native freshwater fishes: use of electrophoresis for taxonomy; hatchery technology; conservation of threatened species; culture of silver perch.
He is the author of at least 167 scientific and technical papers, and has presented more than 130 official seminars and talks on aquaculture and fish biology through-out Australia and in Asia.
Murray cod
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MURRAY COD
Fingerlings can be shipped in any quantity anywhere in the world, subject to local regulations.
If you are not in Australia you need to be aware that export of Australian native fish is complicated, involving many permits, restrictions and many conditions that may be in place for the receiving country.
Murray cod are also a CITES species which adds another layer of documentation because a special permit is needed for export of Murray cod.
Therefore we cannot sent less than au$3,000.00 of fish, PLUS shipping and associated costs.
To order fingerlings email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Below Murray cod nursery
How big do they get ?
This species can easily reach more than 100 pounds.
That's over 45 kg.
The largest Murray cod recorded, in 1902, weighed about 113.5kg, that's over 250 pounds.
The largest Murray cod recorded, in 1902, weighed about 113.5kg, that's over 250 pounds.
It was 1.8 meters long (Almost 6ft.), and was about 75 to 114 years old.
Australia has a number of freshwater cod species which all look very similar, however the species from the Murray Darling River Basins is the one widely produced in Australian aquaculture.
Below the Murray Darling River Basins are marked in Blue
It is a popular aquaculture species, especially in cooler climates.
Below the Murray River where Murray cod come from.
The other species are too endangered to allow commercial aquaculture.
These other species are mostly produced for conservation purposes.
The licensing of these species is strictly controlled by government.
All Murray cod sold by the commercial hatcheries in Australia will be, Maccullochella peelii.
Murray cod are suitable for grow-out in tanks and raceways.
Murray cod are suitable for grow-out in tanks and raceways.
High density production in open ponds is problematic as the natural territorial behavior is highly aggressive, resulting in physical injury, often cannibalism.
Keeping the fish in high densities in a recirculating aquaculture system, (RAS) has produced the best results.
Stocking densities of about 30-40kg/m3 produce the best results with some highly efficient systems capable of up to 60kg/m3.
Best results should be achieved at temperatures around 25C.
They can tolerate temperatures as low as 5C and up to 30C for brief periods.
They have the ability to continue to grow at much lower temperatures than jade perch.
The supply of fry and fingerlings is very limited.
The supply of fry and fingerlings is very limited.
They are available for only a few weeks from late November through to about February.
This is because this species usually only breeds once each season. Silver perch and jade perch will continue to produce eggs and spawn for several months.
The perch females can spawn several times each season, however Murray cod females usually only spawn once each season.
These pictures are typical of the size produced in Australia for the table. (Right click picture and open in new tap for full size picture.)
Below young adults.
Web links to Australian Government research and recommendations
Murray cod video about Government activities breeding Murray cod. Duration 5 minutes
Aquaculture Videos
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Please note that any reference and or research to, or about silver perch, will mostly also apply to jade perch.
The following is a list of knowledge resources containing references to professional research, videos of conference presentations, videos with useful information, and experiences from various resources about aquaculture and Australian native species in general.
A short film showing sorting perch at pond, weighing and moving market size fish using aesthetic.
This is how it was done 20 years ago.
Click to view video (2.46 minutes.)
Dr Stuart Rowland Click for information about Dr Stuart Rowland and these videos
Silver Perch Aquaculture, Research and Development.
Click to view video (Duration 46 minutes.)
Dr Stuart Rowland Diseases and Health Management of Silver Perch. Click for information about Dr Stuart Rowland and these videos
Click for video PART 1 (Duration 46 minutes.)
Click for video PART 2 (Duration 43 minutes.)
Download PDF of related work. NOTE, any references to the use of chemicals should be considered in conjunction with the current regulations to chemical use in your local jurisdiction.
Please check the current rules and regulations that apply to your individual situation first!
Click this link for Diagnosis, treatment & prevention of the diseases of the Silver Perch HIGHLY RECOMMENDED READING !
Applies equally to jade perch !
Aquatic Plant Remediation of Waste Water in a Partitioned Aquaculture System.
Click to view video (Duration 16 minutes.)
What should a commercial perch pond look like? Click for a 6.5 minute video.
Cage culture of silver perch, experiments and research.
Presented by David Foley as a PhD Student with the University of New England.
NOTE: Jade perch are well suited to cage culture methods. In fact commercial growers have experienced better results with jade perch in cages, tanks, and partitioned aquaculture systems.
Therefor this video is also of particular interest to jade perch growers.
Click to view video (Duration 24 minutes.)
Download PDF of this work: Performance, welfare and production strategies for the cage culture of silver perch
This short video shows how to use floating cages on a large farm water storage to grow perch. (Duration 3.5 minutes)
NOTE: Jade perch are well suited to cage culture methods. In fact commercial growers have experienced better results with jade perch in cages, tanks, and partitioned aquaculture systems.
Therefor this video is also of particular interest to jade perch growers.
Click to view video (Duration 24 minutes)
An interesting video showing the way seafood is sold in Asia.
Almost all live. See the farms, distribution network and live in restaurants. click here
Buy Jade Perch and Sliver Perch now
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ALL FINGERLING PRICES ARE HERE
Buy direct from the Perch Man
To order email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
All fish are feeding on commercial aquaculture food.
Fish are standard fingerling size 3.5 to 5 centimetres.
NOTE:
Jade perch are NOT permitted in farm dams
Be sure to check regulations before stocking any fingerlings in dams anywhere in Australia
Delivery costs and options are near the bottom of this page
SLIVER PERCH
AVAILABLE NOW
- 30- 49 fish --- $2.42 each
- 50- 99 fish --- $2.20 each
- 100-500 fish --- $1.65 each
- Over 500 fish --- $1.21 each
Commercial quantities from au$0.30 each
Plus GST. No GST for export customers
JADE PERCH
AVAILABLE NOW
- 30- 49 fish --- $2.42 each
- 50- 99 fish --- $2.20 each
- 100-500 fish --- $1.65 each
- Over 500 fish --- $1.21 each
Commercial quantities from au$0.30 each
Plus GST. No GST for export customers
GENUINE F1 fry are available by arrangement
Minimum order 10,000 tails $1.15each
WARNING Beware of the imposter fish
click forimposter fish information
Commercial information about Australian perch see the members area
GOLDEN PERCH
I only supply Lake Eyre Basin species Macquaria sp.
There are three golden perch species.
These golden perch are only suitable for aquaculture and aquaponics.
GENUINE F1 fry are available by arrangement.
Minimum order 10,000 tails. $1.15 each.
BARRAMUNDI SOLD OUT
- 30 - 49 fish --- $2.97 each
- 50 - 99 --- $2.75 each
- 100 - 500 --- $2.53 each
MURRAY COD SOLD OUT
- 10 - 20 --- $5.00 each
- 20 - 50 --- $4.00 each
- 50 - 100 --- $3.00 each
- 100 - 1,000 - $1.80 each
Your fish will come from Australia's most experienced breeder and live fish shipper
- Over 40 years experience shipping live fish
- Best quality fry
- Managed genetics for fast growing qualities
- Breeders sourced from the best growers in Australia
- Genetics managed using wild caught jade perch
FREIGHT AND DELIVERY INFORMATION
Fry and fingerlings can be shipped almost anywhere in the world
DOMESTIC CUSTOMERS delivery options
Road freight to you door or nearest freight depot from $104.00 per box up to 100 fish.
Live arrival NOT guaranteed.
Air freight, same day prioity airport to airport. From $120.00 per box.
Live arrival is guaranteed.
Pick up at Childers Queensland, 7 days a week.
$18.00 per box or no charge if you bring your own box
When and why I do or do NOT guarantee live arrival.
EXPORT CUSTOMERS
For almost 40 years I regularly ship to many countries around the world, including, Malaysia, Mainland China, Taiwan, Europe, Singapore, Philippines, Hong Kong and the United States.
For export strictly commercial quantities with a minimum value of au$3,000
Wholesale prices are herePrices do NOT include any costs associated with shipping.
For example, freight, packing, and documentation costs, including any health certification required by your authorities.
Note that we do not provide quotes to unconfirmed customers.
You will need to provide documentation that shows you are permitted to import the species into your country and advise us of what documentation your authorities require.
Once we are satisfied that an order is likely to proceed I we will obtain freight options and rates to your destination.
Email me for a quote to your nearest international airport. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Email me for a quote to your nearest international airport. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
For detailed information about growing jade perch and managing their health see the members area.
Click below for YouTube videos about jade perch wild fish collecting
Habitat
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The PERCH MAN ABN 42 065 149 145
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Click to download Jade Perch Description and History PDF.
For detailed information about jade perch go to the members area click for more
Jade Perch, (Scortum barcoo) come from an area of Australia known as the Lake Eyre Basin.
In particular, the Barcoo River.
Click for a short flight down the Barcoo River One and a half minutes
Here, the water does not drain into rivers that end up in the ocean.
All the rain that falls in this region drains inland, eventually reaching Lake Eyre, provided there is enough rain to make it that far.
This is a huge area.
Some of the catchment reaches up into tropical parts.
Occasionally the remnants of a cyclone, in the form of a tropical depression, move to the top end of the catchment.
This sort of event can result in large amount of rain flooding vast inland areas of country.
For the fish in the waterholes of the Lake Eyre Basin these events create a massive explosion in the food chain.
Mass spawning occurs and the life cycle of fish life starts again.
Click picture to see a video of the breeders being caught in the Barcoo River. Three minutes 15 seconds.
They come from the Lake Eyre River Basin.
Below the river basins of Australia with the Lake Eyre Basin in Red.
Jade perch, (Scortum barcoo) only occur naturally in this area of Australia.
Do they occur naturally in any other country - NO !
Do they occur naturally in any other country - NO !
Click this link for a 10 minute YouTube video of the trip to the Barcoo River. This is part 1 of the Jade Perch Story
Click for part 2 of the jade perch story
Click this link for a short YouTube video of the country on the way to the Barcoo River.
For detailed information about jade perch go to the members area click for more
Omega 3
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The PERCH MAN ABN 42 065 149 145
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For detailed information about jade perch go to the members area
Omega-3 the good oil !
Jade perch and silver perch - super foods
SEE jadeperchman on YouTube
The fat contained in these Australian JADE perch is the “good” fat, omega-3.
The omega-3 oils are largely obtained through the diet since humans generally are unable to synthesize them.
Way back in 1998 over 200 seafoods were tested by the CSIRO.
They discovered that Jade perch contained the highest levels of omega-3 of all the fish tested.
The second highest was the Swordfish, 1,667 milligrams of the good oil to every 100 grams.
Australian JADE Perch, from Queensland contained an incredible 2483 mg/100gm of omega-3.
The second highest was the Swordfish, 1,667 milligrams of the good oil to every 100 grams.
Australian JADE Perch, from Queensland contained an incredible 2483 mg/100gm of omega-3.
Silver Perch had 792 milligrams per 100 grams.
The marketing name, "JADE" perch was chosen because of the distinctive greenish, (JADE) colour displayed by the fish as the light catches the dorsal area scales.
The marketing name, "JADE" perch was chosen because of the distinctive greenish, (JADE) colour displayed by the fish as the light catches the dorsal area scales.
Jade also suggests something of value, and valuable they are.
Their flesh is firm, slightly flaky
The fish come from a very hostile environment.
Fish in Australian rivers must be able to cope well with the “feast and famine” nature of the rivers systems in Australia.
These rivers can be dry for months, even years.
Large water holes are the surviving refuge for many species of Australian native fishes, including Australian jade perch.
The fish in these water holes predate on each other for survival.
After flooding the natural food supply for these fish is abundant.
This glut of food is a contrast in the extreme compared to a drought situation where the fish will find getting a feed very difficult.
Also during winter (usually the dry season) the fish are inactive and probably rarely feed.
The stored fat will be used to help the fish survive in these situations.
This is the Omega-3 fat humans need to thrive.
The following is adapted from an article written by Bruce Sambell for the Aquaculture Association of Queensland Inc.
The following is adapted from an article written by Bruce Sambell for the Aquaculture Association of Queensland Inc.
Newsletter November 2000, author Bruce Sambell.”
SILVER PERCH KNOCKED OFF IT’S PERCH
BY BRUCE SAMBELL
In 1998 the CSIRO completed their fatty acids analysis of JADE perch, and guess what, the level of Omega-3 content in Australian JADE perch was the highest of over 200 species tested.
SILVER PERCH KNOCKED OFF IT’S PERCH
BY BRUCE SAMBELL
In 1998 the CSIRO completed their fatty acids analysis of JADE perch, and guess what, the level of Omega-3 content in Australian JADE perch was the highest of over 200 species tested.
This means that the Omega-3 content of our farmed JADE perch is the highest of over 200 Australian seafood's to undergo these tests.
This testing was conducted at the CSIRO Marine Research Laboratories, Hobart as part of an FRDC project 99/331.
Silver perch had already undergone tests for it’s Omega-3 levels, however some doubt had been cast as to whether the fish tested were in fact silver perch or possibly Welch’s perch crossed with silver perch.
The CSIRO subsequently confirmed the previous results.
The samples were provided by the Government Research Facility in Grafton New South Wales.
Omega-3 results for Silver perch and JADE perch showed that JADE perch has 11.1% Omega-3, compared to Silver perch with 9.9%.
Omega-3 results for Silver perch and JADE perch showed that JADE perch has 11.1% Omega-3, compared to Silver perch with 9.9%.
Both species have excellent levels of omega-3.
JADE perch oil in the flesh, 24.1% compared with Sawfish with 16.67%.
There are also some differences in the other “oils”.
JADE perch oil in the flesh, 24.1% compared with Sawfish with 16.67%.
There are also some differences in the other “oils”.
Some are higher in Jade Perch, some are lower, but all are very good overall!
For the Australian species analysed during the "Good Oil" studies the summary findings included:
• Relative to other food groups, wild-caught, cultured and value-added seafood are the best and most readily available source of EPA and DHA;
• Most Australian fish have high levels of omega-3 PUFA (average 235 mg/100 g, range 13 to 3760 mg/100 g) and low levels of cholesterol (average 28 mg/100 g);
• Prawns have lower levels of omega-3 PUFA (average 130 mg/100 g) and higher levels of cholesterol (average 130 mg/100 g) than fish;
• Australian fish generally have higher relative levels of DHA than fishes from the Northern Hemisphere;
• Fish from warmer waters generally have lower omega-3 / omega-6 ratios than fish from temperate waters, due largely to higher relative levels of AA;
• Fish generally contain polar oil and/or triglyceride, although a few species contain unusually high contents of wax ester, hydrocarbon or diacylglyceryl ether;
• Cultured (farmed) seafood was generally an excellent source of omega-3 PUFA, and the oil in the feed can be manipulated to increase oil levels in products;
• Cooking and processing have no discemable effect on the content and composition of the omega-3 PUFA in seafood; and
• Some variation was observed with season and location for selected fish and shellfish, but the differences generally had little effect on oil quality.
What about this stuff (omega-3) ?What’s so good about it?
Well it seems it really can help you live longer.
It has benefits to human blood vessels, helps protect against heart rhythm disorders, may even help protect against some forms of cancer.
The list goes on, infants brain and retina function and development my also benefit, as well as reduce coronary heart disease, high blood pressure and rheumatoid arthritis.
Our Perch also contains lower levels of cholesterol than chicken, beef and lamb!
Not even alternative products such as chicken, beef and lamb have anywhere near the levels of omega-3.
JADE perch has 10 to 100 times more omega-3 than these more traditional food products.
Here are some quotes from the CSIRO,
“the unique nutritional benefits of marine oils come from the effects of their long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, and particularly DHA and EPA.
“the body can only make small amounts of these fatty acids and therefore we rely on dietary sources...
Here are some quotes from the CSIRO,
“the unique nutritional benefits of marine oils come from the effects of their long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, and particularly DHA and EPA.
“the body can only make small amounts of these fatty acids and therefore we rely on dietary sources...
“ Australian fish have higher levels of the beneficial fatty acid DHA than fish from northern hemisphere waters.
“Other beneficial oils present in seafood
(a term which includes farmed fish ...) include omega-6AA which is important for growth and seems to play a role in our general good health and well-being.
Omega-3 found in Australian JADE perch...
Reduces Aggression.
You are less likely to express stress-induced aggression if your brain is under the influence of fish oil, according to Japanese researchers.
In a new double-blind test of 41 adult students, those taking 1.5 to 1.8 daily grams of DHA fish oil for three months did not become more socially aggressive at a time of severe mental stress: final exams.
In contrast, students taking a dummy look-alike capsule showed significant jumps in social aggression, as measured by psychological tests.
This effect on stress may help explain how fish oil prevents heart disease.
Stress hormones triggered by hostility and anger can constrict arteries and accelerate the formation of blockages, research shows; fish oil may suppress the release of those hormones.
Stimulates young minds.
Stimulates young minds.
Foetuses and infants must get sufficient omega-3 oils for optimal brain development, says William Connor, Oregon Health Sciences University.
In one telling study of premature infants, those fed breast milk had 8 points higher I.Q. at age 8 than those fed standard infant formula.
Connor credits breast milk's higher amounts of DHA for that superior intelligence.
In infant rhesus monkeys deprived of omega-3-type oils, Connor found severely impaired visual acuity and behaviour indicative of a neurological defect.
Autopsies revealed abnormalities in brain cells.
Connor advises pregnant women to eat fish a couple of times a week, especially during the last trimester, the time of greatest foetal brain growth.
And breast feeding is preferable to infant formula, he says.
Blunts Brain Damage
Fish oil may eventually be proved to lessen alcohol-induced brain damage, Salem says.
He explains that excessive alcohol depletes brain levels of omega-3's -- DHA in particular -- which leads to neurological damage and impaired vision.
He put experimental animals on high-alcohol, low omega-3 diets for six months to three years.
They suffered severe losses of DHA in brain cells and detrimental changes in brain functioning.
Some scientists speculate that fish oil also may have a protective role in degenerative brain diseases leading to memory loss and dementia.
The brains of deceased Alzheimer's sufferers, for example, show low levels of omega-3 fats.
Food for thought ! ?
-
Reference: CSIRO Marine Research B.D.Mooney, P.D. Nichols, N.G. Elliott.The findings are published in a booklet titled...Seafood The Good Food II
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Note jade perch are referred to as striped perch. Jade perch is now the approved marketing name.
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And . . . apart from all that . . . they make a great meal. As Theodore Pung from Singapore can confirm.
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For detailed information about jade perch go to the members area click for more
About the Perch Man
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The PERCH MAN ABN 42 065 149 145
SEE jadeperchmanon YouTube
All my contact information is here
Click for full details about my aquaculture consulting service
Bruce Sambell, often called the Jade Perch Man, or Perch Man, is the founder and designer of Ausyfish
Below is the farm Bruce founded from natural bushland from 1988
Bruce has been involved with fish at a commercial level for over 40 years.
(As a hobbyist for about 60 years.)
His role as industry consultant has provided cross sector experience at many levels.
Sound advice is available to existing industry participants and especially those considering entering freshwater finfish aquaculture.
Bruce was the industry president during the commercial development of freshwater Australian native fish aquaculture.
Bruce was the industry president during the commercial development of freshwater Australian native fish aquaculture.
He represented the industry on many government committees.
Bruce was the first to breed many species, including sleepy cod, freshwater archer fish, and a number of exclusive Australian native species.
Bruce was one of the first to breed jade perch in captivity.
He was part of the expedition to capture the first jade perch for breeding.
He has now been consistently breeding jade perch longer than anyone currently in the industry.
Bruce was the president of the Aquaculture Association of Queensland Inc for over 20 years. Bruce was also Vice President of the Queensland Aquaculture Industries Federation Inc., (QAIF) for over 3 years. Bruce sat on the committee of QAIF for over 14 years. Bruce also sat on a number of Government bodies as an industry consultant, including the Queensland Department of State Development and Innovation's Aquaculture Reference Group, the Queensland Freshwater Management Advisory Committee, the Translocation Sub-Committee for freshwater fish, and Queensland's Stocked Impoundment Permit Scheme Sub-Committee. (An advisory body for stocking freshwater fish in lakes and rivers throughout Queensland for recreational anglers.) He was also the industry "food safety" representative for a number of years.He also sat on several regional advisory bodies, including, the Fisheries Regional Development Committee for Hervey Bay and the Fisheries Regional Development Committee, Bundaberg.As part of his role as industry leader he coordinated dozens major aquaculture conferences and training workshops.
In 1999 Bruce was made “Patron” for ANGFA ACT., Australian New Guinea Fishes Association.
In 2000 he was appointed to the, “working group” for the Conservation Genetics Inventory Project for Murray Darling River Fish.
Bruce was fundamental in the introduction of the Freshwater Finfish Commercial Hatchery Code of Practice
In September 2000 the WWF, (World Wild Life Fund) hosted a workshop for the Murray-Darling Basin Authority.
The workshop was attended by Bruce.
Stocking fingerlings was identified as a potential threat to the fish of the river basins.
Disease, genetic pollution, and unwanted translocations were considered to be major threats to the natural populations of native fish.
It was also a significant concern that there was no means of identifying hatcheries from other aquaculture sites.
This workshop identified the need for a hatchery accreditation process for businesses producing fingerlings for stocking open waters.
On August 15th 2006 Bruce presented a paper to the Queensland Government resulting in support and funding from the Queensland Government to develop a commercial hatchery code of practice.
As the President of the Aquaculture Association of Queensland Inc.,
Bruce guided the development of this industry code of practice.
Some other codes of practice introduced by Bruce include, Queensland Freshwater Finfish Environmental Code of Practice, the Queensland Aquaculture Food Safety Plan.
Also a freshwater finfish disease free certification scheme.
This scheme, the Fish Health Certification Program (FHCP) was developed with the cooperation of all the east coast states of Australia.
WARNING Beware of the imposter fish click for details
The members area has detailed information about jade perch, including growing and disease management click for more
According to the Cambridge Dictionary an expert is, "a person with a high level of knowledge or skill relating to a particular subject"
My advice is based on over 40 years experience and hands on practice
What is the difference between a good consultant and a bad consultant?
A bad consultant thinks he knows everything.
A good consultant knows he does not know everything, but he knows where to get the answers for you.
Three levels of consulting services are available to clients starting from au$25.00
level 1. Members area of this web site from au$25.00 click for more details.
Level 2 Site visit. au$480.00 per day plus expenses.
Available to existing and potential growers of Australian freshwater fish.
Advice is based on over 40 years experience and hands on practice.
Many clients use this as an opportunity to have staff trained in better fish handling practices, including how to condition brood fish and spawn Australian perch. click for more details.
Level 3 Premium Service. au$6,340.00. 12 months consulting.
One on-site visit for South East Asian countries including Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Laos, Indonesia and nearby countries.
(Australian east coast states including South Australia, au$3,140.00.)
All travel, accommodation and out-of-pocket expenses are included, no more to pay.
You can email, phone or message with questions during the 12 months up to 200 times.
Includes 2 year access to all premium client videos
Plus all services listed in LEVEL 2 are also included.
Australian native freshwater fish
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The PERCH MAN Website updated February 14th 2026
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Jade perch and silver perch fingerlings available now.
See link to prices below.
This website contains knowledge gained over almost 40 years.
You can find information about many Australian native freshwater fish species.
You can order fingerlings and fish food here too.
What can I help you with ?
. . . click links below
HOW TO USE THE MEMBERS AREA
To sign up, and pay the membership fee, email me directly. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
To access this area of the website click on "membership" on the top menu bar.
Once you have signed up you will notice that the "membership" button on the menu bar now has a "Technical Information" drop down.
Just click on Technical Information, and you are in.
The members area has detailed information about Australian freshwater fish, including growing and disease management