Bluegill and sunfish are typically marketed as adults (4"+) but are seasonally available in all sizes. Production is limited to the projected number needed for stocking local ponds. Pumpkinseed are stockpiled for sales to areas where acid mine drainage and low pH present problems. These fishes may be out of stock or not available in the sizes or numbers desired on a seasonal basis. Green sunfish are produced in small numbers and are available in late summer.
Both wild and domestic strains of channel catfish are available. The wild fish are of local origin and range in size from 9'' to large adults. The domestic fish are typically marketed at a size of 10". With advanced notice, fry and small fingerlings can be provided.
Both black and white crappie are available but blacks dominate the supply. Crappie are marketed as adults 5" or larger during the spring and fall. Supplies usually include significant numbers of 10" fish during spring. Smaller crappie can be produced for specific orders.
DelmarvaAquatics began wholesale test marketing Koi during 2004. The results indicated this fish sold well enough to be added to our line of wholesale and retail products in 2005. All of the Koi we sell are produced in the USA under conditions that are as bio-secure as we can make them. The Japanese and domestic broodstock have been isolated for more than 5 years, so there is little danger of contracting any of the viral diseases that are currently effecting the industry. Standard and butterfly Koi are marketed in three grades, standard, choice and elite at sizes ranging from 3 to 16+". Large numbers of 8" and larger Koi are currently available. Pond stocking packages designed to fit your pond, as well as individually specified orders, can be shipped overnight to anywhere in the USA. Wholesale buyers, especially those in the landscaping nursery business, that do not want to inventory Koi but would like to supply their clients are encouraged to contact us for information about our innovative programs.
Feed trained and wild northern largemouth bass are available during summer and fall at sizes ranging from 1.5" to 10". Bass in the 1.5 lb range can also be supplied. Supplies of small bass are usually exhausted by fall although some advanced fingerlings are occasionally available in the spring. Production is usually limited to the number needed to support local sales but with notice, larger numbers can be made available.
Golden shiner and fat head minnow are both produced in small quantities and are typically available in late summer and fall. Minnows are usually sold by weight and are not graded so orders will include fish of all ages and sizes.
Yellow perch are of the Delmarva strain and are marketed as eggs, fry and small fingerlings. Brood fish are selected from wild populations and either hand striped or tank spawned. A limited number of semi-domesticated selected eggs and fry are also available. Production of eggs and fry is high and except for orders late in the season supplies are usually sufficient to meet demand. Eggs become available during early March and depending upon temperature may remain so until the second week of April. Fry are available from mid March through mid April depending on the progression of the spawning season. Fingerling deliveries begin in mid to late May and continue through June or until supplies run out.
Fingerling production may range up to 600,000. Yellow perch of the Delmarva strain, feed train easily, grow fast and under conditions similar to that of Delaware can be expected to reach market size (~1/2lb) in about 14-16 months. In indoor or heated systems, they are essentially an annual fish and appear to grow best between 75 and 80 degrees. The Delmarva strain is tolerant of high water temperatures and hatches at a size large enough to eat brine shrimp at first feeding. This strain has also been reported to dress out up to 5% better than most other strains. Selection for culture characteristics began in 1999 and as noted above, a limited supply of improved perch may be available.
Fingerling smallmouth bass (~2") are available in July. This fish sells quickly so the supply of larger fish is limited. If larger smallmouth are required, arrangements can be made to produce them.
DelmarvaAquatics is the largest non-government producer of striped bass in the world, with a yearly production capacity in excess of 25 million, 5 day fry. Striped bass are of the Chesapeake-Delaware strains with most of the female brood stock in the 15 to 50 lb range. Striped bass production is keyed to advanced orders. Eggs and fry are available from mid-April to late May. Fingerlings reach marketable size in early June. Use of pure striped bass for food fish production is especially attractive in saltwater or at locations where regulations prohibit use of hybrids. Excess striped bass egg production is diverted into original cross hybrids, which are produced with male white bass from the Great Lakes region. Hybrid eggs, fry and fingerlings are available during the same period as striped bass. These fish are reported to grow faster in fresh water and tolerate heat and handling better then pure striped bass. Fry of the original cross hybrid are especially attractive for intensive culture because, unlike the reciprocal cross, they are large enough to take brine shrimp at first feeding. The ability to by-pass pond culture, harvesting, transport and non-feeding is especially attractive for intensive recirculating production systems. Pure and hybrid stripers are excellent for food fish production but both can be difficult to grow due to their general intolerance to handling and stress. These fish can be grown at stocking densities of more than 1 lb. per gal. but feed conversion suffers at levels above 1/2 lb. per gal. The best growing temperatures are in the low 80's for fingerlings and mid 70's for larger fish. Feeding and growth are minimal below 45 degrees. Market size, 1.5 lb., can be attained in about 14 months in a well run heated system. Two growing seasons are needed under natural conditions in Delaware.