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LOOK for aquarium fish prices to rise

Discussion in 'Aquarium Equipment & Decor' started by cooltow1, Feb 19, 2010.

  1. cooltow1

    cooltow1 Thread Starter Member

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    I went to the FTFFA(The Florida Tropical Fish Farms Association) meeting last night, I almost never go but did on the spur of moment, So here's the poop during the cold last January 75 to 95% of the Florida tropical fish stock was lost to cold stress this accounts for 60% of US sales get really to get your $ out. Most farms are saying recovery will take 6 to 8 months.

    Rick
     
    cooltow1, Feb 19, 2010
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  2. KingKedros452

    KingKedros452 New Member

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    That also means look for tank-bred species to get even less hardy considering they'll be starting from a smaller pool of fish.
     
    KingKedros452, Feb 27, 2010
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  3. blowfishRus6

    blowfishRus6 New Member

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    yea the guy at the fish store said that he just cant get alot of fish right now that people want, and that some of the florida breeders are actually asking for breeders with some fish.

    it seems to be putting a nice little dent in things right now.
     
    blowfishRus6, Mar 3, 2010
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  4. cooltow1

    cooltow1 Thread Starter Member

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    And they are still having problems getting back in to production. February was a cooler that usual month here in Florida (about 8 degrees below normal) so many farm have not even start to put the ponds back into production
    Many are taking a wait and see approach. My breeder are about a month behind schedule, but they are finally forecasting near normal temperatures for the next couple of weeks.

    Rick
     
    cooltow1, Mar 3, 2010
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  5. WhiteGloveAquatics

    WhiteGloveAquatics New Member

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    This is why I get my livestock from local breeders and breed alot myself, cut out most the environmental variables.
     
    WhiteGloveAquatics, Mar 3, 2010
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  6. cooltow1

    cooltow1 Thread Starter Member

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    I'm all inside, the fish room were I do all my breeding and 2 green houses were all the grow out tank (tubs) are. I do have 4 small outdoor pond but I really don't do any breeding in them. I didn't loss any stock this winter but it has slowed my breeding some this year. In an average year March would be the start of the full blown spawning season but the outside water temps are about 10 degrees below average so I have held off on spawning any fish.

    Rick
     
    cooltow1, Mar 3, 2010
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  7. WhiteGloveAquatics

    WhiteGloveAquatics New Member

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    cooooold water slows them down. would a submersible light keep the temp up just enough at night?
     
    WhiteGloveAquatics, Mar 3, 2010
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  8. blowfishRus6

    blowfishRus6 New Member

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    what kind of set-ups do the larger breeders have??? is it alot of outdoor ponds???

    dude says he gets the africans from breeders in atlanta but even there behind right now. im trying to get a full grown female kenyi and i cant seem to find one for anything. might have to wait till things pick back up some.
     
    blowfishRus6, Mar 3, 2010
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  9. cooltow1

    cooltow1 Thread Starter Member

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    A 100 radius around Tampa accounts for 60% of all tropical fish sells in the USA. They do their breeding indoors in a breeding shed then move the fry outside to small pond 8'X15'X6' more or less with maybe a 5' strip of land between the pond so there are 100+/- small ponds per acre
    Once the fish reach marketable size they are netted out, sorted to size and/or grade,then sold to a wholesaler in most cases. Some farms are in wholesale business as well but most aren't. More tropical fish move thru the Tampa airport that any other cargo ( both pieces and tonnage)

    Rick
     
    cooltow1, Mar 3, 2010
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  10. blowfishRus6

    blowfishRus6 New Member

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    damn.


    edit. haha i like how it fixed that.
     
    blowfishRus6, Mar 4, 2010
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  11. KingKedros452

    KingKedros452 New Member

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    I get a lot of mine locally bred too. Which is why I've been waiting a year for spanner barbs.
     
    KingKedros452, Mar 4, 2010
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  12. cooltow1

    cooltow1 Thread Starter Member

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    Hey as a breeder, I all for buying from a local breeder. In most cases the quality of the livestock is excellent and most times if you deal with a specialty breeder you will be able to purchase livestock that simply not available at most pet stores.

    Rick
     
    cooltow1, Mar 4, 2010
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