Fish Farming ... When It Goes Belly Up

[DonaldBattles]

For sure the eating rate slows when the weather gets cold. Metabolism slows a lot. It is especially noted with pla nin and pla top tem.

[ray23]

Thanks I have seeb a singnificant difference in the past week, in the amounts they are eating in the past week or so. Just didn't know if that was normal or not.

I've adjusted the feeding to what they are actually eating right now

[RedBullHorn]

This has to rank up there with the dumbest questiosn I have ever asked. Do fish slow their eating pattern in cold weather?

Ray23, Mate ... questions are never dumb.

My experience is yes. Metabolic rate slows.

That said ... I'm open to being challenged on my observations.

You're correct on the metabolic rate slows down during cold weather. Fishes like catfish don't eat if the water temperature is below 15°C.

But there is a way to make them eat like mad even at water temperature 5°C. All that is needed is an ingredient mixed into the pellet feed.

[DonaldBattles]

My upper pond is low on water due to the drought. Some fish started to die. I have connected my big gas pump and started circulation of the water to add oxygen. This seems to control the situation but is and expensive process. I don't have a lot of pla tap tim as I planted only 2000. With a major drought, I see no alternative to taking the fish out and put them in the lower pond. This drought will last another 2 months and the water level will really be low. This is the first year that I did not push water from the big pond to the smaller upper pond. I decided not to do this because of the larger population in the lower pond.

[David48]

Donald ... good luck with that.

We can use the river (klong) boat as the canal is dry.

These parts (Greater Bangkok) ... maybe some rain in April, but good rain come June ... according to MissFarmGirl.

[DerkMR]

My upper pond is low on water due to the drought. Some fish started to die. I have connected my big gas pump and started circulation of the water to add oxygen. This seems to control the situation but is and expensive process. I don't have a lot of pla tap tim as I planted only 2000. With a major drought, I see no alternative to taking the fish out and put them in the lower pond. This drought will last another 2 months and the water level will really be low. This is the first year that I did not push water from the big pond to the smaller upper pond. I decided not to do this because of the larger population in the lower pond.

I would recommend you to put the fish as well as the remaining water into one pond with the smallest surface.

I think that a lot of fish ponds this year will fall dry and the fish have to be sold at whatever size they are, at least this will happen to the ponds of my ex-GF...

Bye,

Derk

[DonaldBattles]

Currently pumping the upper lake and removing fish. I have made a hapas for the lower lake to collect the fish to sell. I think that I have generally dodged the bullet. No more pla tap tem for me.

Thanks.

Don

[DonaldBattles]

I am about to buy new fish for my upper lake. I would like some recommendations for sport fighting fish so people can enjoy catching them. No more talapia for me.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. I have to buy them in Chiang Rai.

[DerkMR]

Pla jarumet - black pacu.

Grow to good size and are heavy fighters with strong teeth, need steel leader to not loose all hooks.

Pla shado - giant snakehead and Pla chon - striped snakehead, they will take care of all small fish (of which you should put in some, like barbs to provide self reproducing food) and grow up to 1 m size.

Bye,

Derk

[DonaldBattles]

Although I have thousands of Pla Suway and many Pla Chon the Pla Nin keep hatching out. Will try to net as many as I can and bury them in the garden.

I am planning to open a fishing part 3 days per week. The bar will be open and we will serve hot sandwiches and pies. Has anyone had experience in running a fishing park?

[David48]

^^ Donald, it was only the other day I was thinking of you and how things went.

Wish you the best of luck with your new venture ...

BTW ... might be worthwhile starting a new thread with that question ... currently you are on page 24 of this ... a long way down for others to navigate to your post and answer the specific question.

[DonaldBattles]

Does anyone in Chiang Rai know where I can buy gill nets. I need the ones that are hand woven using strong strings.