I’ve found a couple of feed stores that sell Purina Game Fish Feed (32% Protein), but I can’t seem to find anyone selling Aquamax in the Greater Louisville KY area.
Any ideas? My pond is a couple months from being filled and I won’t stock the BG and fatheads till next spring, but I am thinking fall would be the time to pick up deals on over-stock.
Go back and ask the dealer with GameFish Chow if he can order some Aquamax. They usually can get some bags of Aquamax shipped in with the Gamefish Chow order. It all comes from the same plant. You will need to know the number of Aquamax feed so he orders the correct stuff. Two largest pellet sizes are 3/16" (Aquamax Grower 5D05) and 1/4" is Aquamax Grower 5D06.
As usual Bill Cody is right. You should be able to get AquaMax from the same dealer. I place an order with my feed mill and they usually have it for me for pickup with a week. Ask them to get it in the same time they get their other Purina Mills products. If they can't do it, they aren't really trying and some other feed mill in the area that handles Purina Mills products should be able to.
Remember not to get more than you can use in 3 months. It can lose vitamins (especially Vitamin C, and it could get moldy after 3 months which can be lethal to your fish or make them sick. It's not worth the risk to hold onto feed too long. Fish Farmers know better.
Aquamax is divided into Carnivore ( trout, hybrid striped bass, yellow perch, and red drum diets) and Omnivore diets ( Catfish and Talapia). I would feed bluegill the carnivore diet.
The sizes are:
5D00 Fry Powder
5D01 Fry Starter 100 0.8 mm
5D02 Fry Starter 200 1.2 mm
5D03 Fingerling Starter 300 1/16 "
5D04 Grower 400 3/32"
5D05 Grower 500 3/16"
5D06 Grower 600 1/4 "
I wouldn't be afraid to mix a couple of sizes if you have smaller and larger fish.
Hope this helps. If you have any questions for Purina Mills they can be reached at 1-800-227-8941
You folks are the best! I called the feed store and got a hold of someone that knew what was going on and, yes they can order Aquamax for me next year. Talked to the weekend person last time.
For next spring - I guess I should start the fingerling BG on 5D03 Fingerling Starter 300 1/16”???? Then move up accordingly.
Thanks -- this is one of those posts I'll print out for my file "to not loose".
Cecil and I thank you for your compliments.
Little Dog, I am interested in getting some aquamax in the spring also. I'm not far from Georgetown. What feed store did you talk to? Are they going to stock some or just order what you request?
David -- Ramsey Feed and Seed off of Old State Road 64 carries Purina Game feed but he said he'd order some Aquamax if I wanted something specific. Here is their phone number 812-347-2191. I did not ask how much it costs.
Feeding catfish high priced food reaches a point
of diminishing returns. I fed 42% protein Aquamax
for a while, but changed to the 32% pellets. The
Aquamax sold for around $24/50lbs and I can get
feed mill produced 32% for $10/50lbs. And, the
catfish in my ponds can go thru a 50lb bag
in a week in each pond. That can add up to a bit of money. The fish start to get so large, that
they are eating more food than the four legged livestock. And, you can eat only so much catfish.
Squeeky,
That's true with catfish but other species need better feed if artifical feed is all they eat. Carnivores have special needs.
There won't be any catfish in my pond, BG LMS HSB. But that is a good point. I might even try mixing it till the bass come into play.
I have carp in my pond and feed with Purina Game Fish Chow. The grass carp obviously love it too. I've heard grass carp don't like Aquamax and will actually not eat it. Does anyone have any experience with this?