The tropical fish industry in the US threatened by extreme cold weather

Half of the country’s tropical fish come from Florida, much of the fish raised in the Bay area. That industry, however, is being threatened by the extreme cold weather according to Ron Connor, who owns Connor Farms Tropical Fish in Plant City, the fish are in danger when the outside temperature reaches 40 degrees. As the temperature drops even farther, many of the fish will die. For example, during last year’s freeze, Connor lost 90 percent of the eight million fish he has spread across 250 ponds on the farm.

That would cripple an industry already struggling because of the economy. Fish farmers have also lost business as young people grow more interested in electronics and less interested in having fish as pets, Connor said. Connor has covered his outdoor ponds with plastic to keep the water warm. However, the wind often rips the plastic off. He has also moved some of the fish indoors, although there is not nearly enough space to house most of the fish. Read more...

This blog is written by Martin Little The Aquaculturists, published and supported by the International Aquafeed Magazine from Perendale Publishers.