Can Carp b used in an Aquaponic System.

[Murray]

I have an email from Raamis who is a member. Raamis would like help with the following question. He has asked me to start a thread for him.

Can carp be grown in the aquaponic system. If so, what is its economics as
compared to Tilapia? Are there any extra steps that should be taken
for this fish?

[njh]

I imagine carp would be a good choice except that a) they are a regulated species and b) nobody likes to eat them.

[GaryD]

Hi,

Where does Raamis come from?

If he's from Australia, my advice would be to ignore both species. The Departments of Primary Industry in most states would probably insist that he ignore them, too.

If he's from overseas, it might be a different matter.

Gary

[Murray]

I think he is from India. It would be most helpful if every member went to their UserCP and added their location.

[Cecil]

Considering here in the U.S. they are for the most part considered a pest species (most don't like to eat them here either) I wouldn't know for sure. However based on their environmental needs it seems they are quite hardy and able to tolerate lower water quality then many other species. That would make them lower risk than other species in an aquaponics system. As far as economics they are supposed to grow and put on weight rapidly, so they are a go there. However, as far as their market potential that would depend on your location and their acceptance.

The book Small Scale Aquaculture mentions them as a candidate species in an RAS so they should be able to handle an Aquaponics system?

The book in English is available here:

http://rodaleinstitute.org/bookstore...m_books/3.html

I have no vested interest in plugging this book. Just think it is relavent to your query and is a very good book for the cost. It also has a chapter on aquaponics I believe.

[Murray]

Hi Cecil, Carp are a pest here in Aussie as well. Dreadful fish. There is a business here that catches them and grinds/boils them down and makes a fertaliser known as "Charlie Carp" Good use for them. They are destroying our rivers and native species.
Welcome to our forum.

[GaryD]

Hi,

As much as they are a pest fish in Australian river systems, it seems that they are serving as a feedstock for Murray Cod. It's an ill wind that blows no one any good.....so they say.

Gary

[Jonathan Dyer]

Regardless if people think carp are a pest the colourful type ‘koi’ are the same fish in a round about way. The reason everyone in Australia hates them is due to the fact that they mimic the taste of the water where they live which in general is muddy. As they are generally bottom feeders stirring up the sediment on the floor in search for food. They store this muddy taste in their fat and people usually catch them and eat them as they are and taste quite muddy. Yet, if they are caught and stored in a tank of clean running water ‘Purged’ for a week they actually taste quite good given the chance and are very suited in recirculation tank production as they are already swimming in there purging tank.

They are well worth a try although they may be slow growing depending on water temp.

[Martin A1]

I know the German's lovem'..... with lots of horse radish admittedly.

I've been in a shop over there as a young lad and seen them sold live... well only until they get a solid whack or two over the head with a heavy wooden batton . Funny how some things stick in your mind.

All 'backyard' fish, no matter what country you live in, MUST NEVER be released into the local environment! Put them through your compost bin if your not going to eat them! Your garden will thank you for it later.

[Murray]

Are they (carp) boney ? Do they fillet well ? Is the flesh tasty or bland ?
Are they easily bred in captivity ?
I have such a bad image of them as an environment wrecker, that I have not given them much thought as a possible Aquaponics system fish.
It would appear that in Asia they are eaten, and now Martin you are saying they are consumed in Europe as well.
Some people will eat anything, the frogs eat snails....... Once in a Singapore Restauraunt I allowed my Aisian mate to order, and after a very tasty dinner I discovered that the dozen or so very small chicken legs I had eaten were frogs legs...........

Perhaps Carp may have some potential in Aquaponics systems.
I imagine it would be illegal to keep them in Australia due to their very bad environmental record. (although, if a bad environmental record makes something illegal, then we humans ought to be illegal)