A Community and Forum For Aquaponic Gardeners

Just got my first Bluegill

We called Florida Fish Farms (352) 793-4224 today as we wanted to know if they would have any catfish available soon. Well it seems they won't have those for some tine but they do have Bluegill. The bluegill fingerlings are really small but it was time for more fish and we decided to take what we could get.

I can now call myself a Bluegill grower and hopefully I'll have good experience with them to share with everyone over time.

We did get extra fish so if people are interested in some small bluegill orders in 6-8 weeks I might be talked into selling some off seeing as I haven't been able to do the large group order on the catfish. Now if your system can handle 100+ fish, then you might as well get them from Florida Fish Farms but I know that most new small systems are not designed to handle eve 50 fish let alone 100 so let me know if you are looking for a small batch of fish this summer to get a new system going. Of course that is if you are in Florida and can come to visit and have a container and aerator for the ride home.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Meg Stout on March 30, 2011 at 7:29pm

If you're near a Southern States coop (south eastern United States), they probably have a fish wagon coming by every so often (about once a month). The type of fish they have will vary, but in my area they bring largemouth bass, catfish, redear, blue gill, hybrid blue gill, and minnows.

Permalink Reply by TCLynx on March 30, 2011 at 7:56pm

Meg, do you know if there is information published anywhere about their schedule and their rout? Posting such info would be of help to many people. I would post it on the front page of this group if you can get me a link or phone number or anything.

Permalink Reply by B. Pearcy on March 30, 2011 at 8:00pm

I found www.fishwagon.com, but there was no schedule. I sent an e-mail to info@fishwagon.com

Permalink Reply by Meg Stout on March 30, 2011 at 8:15pm

There are various suppliers, and it depends on which store is near you. Carolina Fish Hatchery has a published schedule (south Virginia, No....

I called my local Southern States. Here's the link to their storefinder. The Southern States pond page says:

"Where can I obtain fish to stock in my pond?

"Southern States dealers sponsor a Fish Days promotion where pond owners can order different species of fish to stock their ponds. Check with your local Southern States dealer for the Fish Days promotion in your area."

Permalink Reply by George T on March 31, 2011 at 5:17am

Florida Fish Farms stocks "Florida Strain" bluegills. I couldn't get their FAQs up this morning but I think they said that the coppernose sub species was a myth. They also said that hybrid bluegills are illegal in Fl and I'm glad of it. The bluegill is a beautiful fish.

TCLynx said:

I got whichever ones Florida Fish Farms is selling.

Permalink Reply by George T on March 31, 2011 at 6:00pm

And I suppose it's simply semantics - Florida Strain/Coppernose. If you can see a difference on their site, please let me know.

George J. Thurmon said:

Florida Fish Farms stocks "Florida Strain" bluegills.

Permalink Reply by Jay Wolf on April 12, 2011 at 7:35am

Be an interesting study to see whose fish (aka strain) grows the fastest and biggest...... (North Vs. South maybe?

) There is a study being done for yellow perch like that. So far the biggest and fastest growing yellow perch come from North Carolina. Lake Michigan is a close second and MN perch....... Not so good. LOL

Permalink Reply by George T on April 12, 2011 at 9:05pm

It's known that the southern strain grows bigger and faster but has anyone tried growing a northern strain down south? I doubt it. Most likely, northerners had best stick with the northern strain and southerners the southern.

Jay Wolf said:

Be an interesting study to see whose fish (aka strain) grows the fastest and biggest...... (North Vs. South

Permalink Reply by Jay Wolf on April 13, 2011 at 7:05am

Well thought out counter point George. Thank you for that.

George J. Thurmon said:

It's known that the southern strain grows bigger and faster but has anyone tried growing a northern strain down south? I doubt it. Most likely, northerners had best stick with the northern strain and southerners the southern.

Jay Wolf said:

Be an interesting study to see whose fish (aka strain) grows the fastest and biggest...... (North Vs. South

Permalink Reply by TCLynx on April 13, 2011 at 5:42pm

Yea, the Southern Fish probably tend to grow fast because it's warm down here more of the year.

Permalink Reply by Meg Stout on April 14, 2011 at 5:32am

Has anyone done a study - northern fish and southern fish in adjacent tanks? If the southern fish still grow faster, it may be that they've evolved to grow faster because they live in a place where that is less biologically dangerous. In which case I'd assume that the northern fish are more resistant to cold snaps, etc.

Permalink Reply by Jim Logios on June 22, 2011 at 9:07am

Hello everyone.

I got 22 bluegill (about 2-3 inches) in my Aquabundance tank. They came home a week ago, and all seem to be doing fine. Ammonia and nitrite levels nice and low. Nitrates at 80-160. Ph 7.4-7.6 (hard to get this one down).

I put two 4" pvc Y connector pipes in the tank so fish have a place to feel secure. Fish are snapping when fed and seem happy. An occasional grasshopper or cricket for a treat.