To scrub clean my cages I use a very stiff short bristle brush, using the same method described by Sprkplug. I think my brush was designed to put tar on roofs (Lowes?). FA sticks very tightly to cages. When my cages get clogged I usually transfer fish into a cleaned cage which IMO is less stressful AND the FA regrows a lot slower than on a cleaned cage. During the transfer I also get to look at all the fish to see if they are damaged or with any fungus. A fish with fungus quickly spreads fungus spores to other fish.

Tilapia may help in cleaning the cage but most of the growth seems to be on the outside of the cage not inside.

Yes 55-60F is a good stocking temp. When I am serious about getting healthy fish, I contact the fish farm and tell them to call me ASAP when they 'get in' fresh or new fish. Often fish will be held crowded in tanks for several days or weeks before they are sold. Fish are stressed and weakened every day they are held in a holding tank.

Mark - For fish check with Matt Rayl at American Pond & Lk Mgmt that is not far east of you in Russiaville ((765) 883-5718). Be sure to tell him what you are going to do with the fish and that you want as fresh of fish as possible when he gets them out of the pond. Tell him we sent you. Matt is very familar with cage raising of fish. Be ready to go get the fish at a moments notice whenever he calls that they are or will be ready. Since you are close to him he might deliver the fish? My favorite fish farm tells me when they are seining and I get the fish as they are 1st transferred into the holding tanks.

Be aware that many fish farms buy many of their fish so these fish can be stressed even before the farm gets the fish for retail sale.

Keep us advised as to your progress with this project.

Last edited by Bill Cody; 02/13/15 11:15 AM.
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