Sprkplug regularly grows HBG in cages for restocking. His input will be very helpful.
Standard stocking size of BG-HBG for cage raising grow out is 3". Cage mesh size should be just small enough the fish cannot swim through the cage. This allows optimum water exchange in & out of the cage which helps keep fish healthy. Mesh of 3/4" should contain 3" BG. A 3" BG has a body depth of 1". A normal BG of 2.3" has a body depth of 3/4". A 3/4" cage diamond mesh has a maximum opening of 0.75". I often start growing them in 1/2" mesh cage and then later move them to a 3/4" mesh cage. Literature says the stockers should be graded to a fairly uniform length. HBG will be a little more tolerant of caged conditions compared to BG.
Aquaculture literature suggests stocking density for sunfish to be around 7-8 per cu.ft. of cage space. In my fish cage raising three articles for beginners, I suggest the low stocking density to be 2-3/cu.ft. and for those with some experience a medium density of 4-6/cu.ft. After stocking you will likely see some mortality due to handling stress. The amount of handling stress varies widely fish farm to fish farm. Many stocker fish for cages are highly stressed and "weak" when you purchase the fish. IMO it is very important to purchase your fish from the "best" fish farms. Best fish farms are chosen from experience and word of mouth for selling highest quality, healthy fish. Cage raising fish is a real education about your fish supplier and your talents!
IMO many fish farms rely on their 'weak' fish to be stocked into ponds where fish deaths are not readily observable. The weak dying fish become easy food items or die and sink to the bottom and are never seen again. However, when you cage fish you will easily see all the fish that get sick, develop fungus, or die. Whenever possible I prefer to collect my own stocker fish that go into a cage. That way I know how they were handled and that they were handled with utmost care.
In PondBoss Magazine back issues:
Mar-Apr 2007. CAGED FISH ON A SMALL SCALE. Cody in Part 1 of a 3 part article, describes the materials needed and how to build small cages to raise fish.
May-Jun 2007. CAGED FISH ON A SMALL SCALE. PART DEUX. Cody covers fish cage placement, selecting species, proper sizes, how many to stock, and feeding of fish in a cage.
Jul-Aug 2007. CAGED FISH ON A SMALL SCALE. In Part III, Cody discusses maintenance, mortalities, harvest, and overwintering of fish in a cage.
You also sjould have a minimum of 18"-24" of water under the cage for sufficient water flow.
Last edited by esshup; 02/13/15 07:35 AM. Reason: water depth under the cage
