Infrastructure for aquaculture
Adapting existing buildings and dams for aquaculture seems a neat, money-saving solution. Yet this usually leads to failure. Unless you know what you’re doing, build a dedicated setup – you...
Fish farming beyond SA
The state of aquaculture in neighbouring countries – and the lessons to be learnt.
The history of the red tilapia
Deep-bodied, fast-growing strains of red Mozambique tilapia are becoming the species of choice in regions where winter temperatures do not usually favour tilapia farming.
Solar power could save your fish farm
When the lights go out, you have to act fast, as your fish could be dead within 20 minutes. A backup plan is essential.
Tilapia: Myths & legends
Misconceptions are holding back production of tilapia in South Africa. In the meantime, the rest of the world simply gets on with it.
Growing fish in salt water
Many argue that tilapia in brackish water taste that little bit better, and it’s difficult to deny this.
Salt water aquaculture
Salinity – at the coast or inland – is rarely a barrier to successful tilapia farming.
How to set up an aquaponics system
Starting small will not necessarily give you an accurate idea of what to expect when going commercial.
Farm dams are a good idea
Sadly, SA fails to exploit its irrigation dams for aquaculture. But farm dams, connected to well-built pond systems, offer great potential for growers.
Aquaculture ponds need careful planning.
Capital costs, running costs and potential market are the three major concerns faced by those who want to start fish farming, and I’ve often discussed these factors in relation to...
Choosing the right aquaculture technology
Successful aquaculture is all about making a profit. Make sure your system is affordable and appropriate.
Aquaculture lessons from Egypt
Keep it simple and don’t become fixated on ‘technology’ – that’s how you’ll make a go of freshwater fish farming.
Aquaculture products – let the buyer beware
South Africa has a particularly poor record in product sales and service delivery to aquaculture.
Sharing information about tilapia farming
With demand exceeding supply, working together and sharing information about tilapia farming will benefit us all.
Fish farming: affordable protein for SA?
South Africa’s only marine finfish farm on the Atlantic coastline has just entered the commercial market. Manager and shareholder of the Bluecap fish farm in Paternoster, Ingo Beckert, says fish...
Tilapia feeds & feeding: get it right
Feed costs are the largest single input in fish culture, accounting for approximately 40% of the sale price.
Sourcing information on aquaculture
Accurate reliable information on aquaculture is available. Just make sure you look carefully.
Closed heated systems for tilapia
Our much-beloved Mozambique tilapia requires water temperatures of 26°C or higher to grow rapidly. There are several ways to achieve this under culture conditions, but not all are practical.
Gadgets for aquaculture
Workers on fish farms in Asia use some ingenious tools. Most of the equipment is practically thought out, and designed simply and effectively.
