Goldfish

Since my goldfish spawned in my aquaponics system I have been reading up on the species. Just thought I would share some basic knowledge for those considering working with this species.

Goldfish were originally kept as an aquaculture food source! Yep.

Starting around 200 A.D. in china as food. These fish are believed to be descendants of Prussian Carp.

Goldfish are omnivores and will eat pretty much anything that will fit into their mouths.

The non-facy varieties can live for more than 40 years. The fancy types only 5 to 10 years.

They can handle ph from down around 6.0 up to above 7.5.

They can handle extremely warm water... or live under ice.

They get to around 14" long and several pounds. Breeding after 2 years of age... up to several times a year.

Perhaps these are a great fish for permaculture! These little scavengers will assist keeping algae at bay and pretty much everything else as well.

Great collection of information you have there.
It immediately puts me in mind of this thread:
https://permies.com/t/7613/homestead/homesteading/Common-Carp-aquaculture

One take away for me is the idea of raising koi.
The can be eaten,  or they can be sold for good money to the pet trade

William Bronson wrote:Great collection of information you have there.
It immediately puts me in mind of this thread:
https://permies.com/t/7613/homestead/homesteading/Common-Carp-aquaculture

One take away for me is the idea of raising koi.
The can be eaten,  or they can be sold for good money to the pet trade

That is no joke!

A good looking koi just 10" long... which only takes about a year in aquaponics... sells for around $240 at a local pet store selling pond fish.

A goldfish that size would still be a pretty penny as well! Would take longer to get there though. Probably 2 years.

That single fish would more than pay for fish feed and electricity for the year in my 150gal (fish tank size) system. I am growing indoors under LED lights that are running 12hrs per day too. lol

I will be spending about $120 in electricity for the lights and $24 for the water/air pumps per year. Once I get a larger system in a greenhouse... it's on! Water/air pumps cost almost nothing to run.

With a LOW stocking density I could pump out 10 to 15 of those 10" koi each year! Talk about a system that pays for itself in no-time flat. Not to forget to mention the $1000 worth of lettuce I could grow in there during the year as well.

That being said I have pumped out dozens of clones of valuable plants over the years. Clones of things like select Mulberry and Fig cultivars can fetch a pretty penny as well. I have seen two cuttings fetch $60 of some fig varieties. When they are rooted they fetch $100 per clone.

Aquaponics is a MIGHTY tool to have in your belt if you take the time to learn it... and do it right.

A small system like mine with two 50gal grow beds could pump out an incredible amount of clones per year if managed well. You could make a good living cloning trees from your 4' x 7' space (Potting up after rooting for grow-out somewhere protected).

What is cool about having it in my garage (on wheels so I can move it around) is that I now have a major water feature in-house. The kids use it like a splash pad and the fish greet you when you go out. Talk about improved air quality! During the mild days I just open the garage door now (to inside the house) and point a fan towards it. Greenhouse air is amazing. Now... so is my garage. lol