Stocking Information

We work on a stocking rate of 200 fish per megalitre of water and generally a 30% mortality of the fish stocked. You can stock both Silvers and Yellowbelly together in the same dam if around 1ML in capacity. Yellowbelly and Silvers together are quite common in smaller dams around 1ML. Larger dams over 1ML are usually stocked with Australian Bass and Yellowbelly (Click here for Australian Bass information).

Yellowbelly are a relatively placid social fish which co-habits with other species readily. However, it is a predator, so if the other species are small they can become food.

Yellowbelly fingerlings for stocking are available each year from December to July. They are available by the 100 and it is generally in lots of 100 that you would stock your dam.

For an initial first off stocking allow 30% mortality of the fingerlings you place into the dam. Generally if the dam is full of eels this is not a major threat as eels would eat only one or 2 yellowbelly.

Your main predator is the cormorant or shag. This is a nasty horrible bird that is the bane of all fish growers as they do take fish and you will probably lose 30% or more to this predator. In a farm dam there is not a lot you can do about it so just be prepared for the 30% loss. The more shelter you have in the dam the higher the survival of your fish will be.

When you restock your dam every 2 years or so, because you have large fish in the dam you will need to work on about 50% mortality as the larger fish will eat some of the new small fingerlings. Just add a few more than you need when restocking and this will ensure you always have plenty in your dam and the more you have the easier they are to catch.