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  About Goliad Farms

Goliad Farms, LP, is a freshwater tropical fish hatchery specializing in the intensive culture of tropical fish and other aquatic organisms and plants. The primary focus of the hatchery is the production of superior fish for wholesale distributors, retail tropical fish shops, and educational institutions.

Our 122-acre farm is located about 90 miles north of Corpus Christi, 110 miles southeast of San Antonio, 150 miles southwest of Houston and 120 miles south of Austin. The farm produces African cichlids, New World cichlids, rainbowfishes, fancy and wild livebearers, Goodeids, barbs, anabantids, killifish, danios and minnows, and tetras, characins and rasboras. In order to provide a larger array of fish to our customers we also purchase certain fish from collectors (see Catfish, Sharks and Scavengers and Oddballs and Miscellaneous). We conditions these fish and grow them out to produce quality, well sized fish for our customers. The farm also produces aquatic plants and live foods, which, at present, are only for internal use.

During 2001. Goliad Farms completed an arduous year and a half move of our hatchery from the colder and much drier Santa Fe, New Mexico to Goliad County, Texas. Unfortunately, in the summer of 2003, as we were approaching full production for the first time in Texas, Hurricane Claudette severely damaged our greenhouse facility. We've since rebuilt that greenhouse and have added two additional greenhouses.

We use intensive water recirculation technologies designed to minimize the environmental impact of our operations. At present we have more than 750 rearing and breeding tanks. Our 7,500 square of greenhouses hold over 70,000 gallons of water. The water is maintained between 75 and 85°F (24 and 30°C) by propane water heaters and cooling fans. We use large plant filters as our sole filtration method to maintain water quality.

The farm's  two senior managers (Charles and Susan Clapsaddle) bring together extensive experience in intensive aquaculture. Together, the managers have 70+ years experience in the tropical fish industry. Charles has a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology from the University of Texas at Austin and 46 years of experience in raising fish for sale in aquaria, hatcheries and on fish farms. Susan has 24 years of experience in fish hatchery and business management.

Page last modified December 24, 2007.
Copyright © 2007, Goliad Farms, LP