Originally posted by Cecil Baird1:
Catmandoo,
Sounds to me like you're going to have to find a live Asian fish market that supplies live Talapia for food fish. Do some looking around on the internet.
I found this company. Maybe you can call and see if they have any or they can put you onto someone else. I do know Talapia are raised indoors in RAS systems to supply the fish markets.
Be aware that you will have to be careful of state laws etc.
King Fish MarketSeafood
Company
Map
Address:
12 E Marshall St
Richmond, VA 23219
804-648-7930
BTW I may get the wife to put your grass carp on the website soon. Computer got reformatted and she has been busy but she's home for Christmas now.
Cecil,
Thanks for the info.
I'm going to be in Richmond on Saturday, and again next Wednesday. I may try to stop in there and talk to the owners.
After I explained how my pond is situated, the professor from WVU strongly suggested that I not to take "no" for an answer from the WV DNR when importing tilapia. Yes, I will have to get permits. He said the DNR should probably eventually agree that I am not a threat to the local ecosystem. I believe he will back me, if I find a reasonable source of fish.
In this area, we've become especially sensitive to Asian fish markets because of the "frankenfish" -- the Asian snakeheads that have invaded so many of our rivers and public ponds.
As a result, even to replace my silly old grass carp, I have to get lots of signatures. I will start the process right after Jan 1, in hopes of getting just two new triploid carp by April! There are still two big ones in my pond -- and they are welcome to stay until a few younger cousins can legally be brought in.
The local dealer who sold my four original grass carp (10 years ago) no longer sells them. Too much hassle from the state. He tried talking me into goldfish! He won't sell tilapia for the same reason.
Cecil, and others, all your efforts to improve our ponds and recreation are greatly appreciated.
Ken