Digging up an old thread here. Almost all agriculture is compartmentalized. Some farms run cow calf herds, that produce calves, some farms run stockers, and grow them from calves to feedlot size, and some run feedlots that grow them to slaughter. Aquaculture is not much different. You have hatcheries, and grow out facilities. It seems that few want to do both. The growout facilities want fast growing easy fish. The hatcheries cater to this. The backyard aquaculturist, if he wants to produce a superior product ends up having to do both. Overall this may be less efficient, and less cost effective, but if you develop a niche market, people will pay more for a fish that is nothing but a fish. And yes, I agree stay away from hybrids, unless you plan to go back to your supplier regularly, and purchase your next batch of stockers.