Which fish can I use in an Aquaponics system?

The Fish....

There are a number of fish species which are perfect for Aquaponics. In fact, almost any freshwater fish, as long as it is not going to be too big for your Aquaponic system, and that it suits your climate and growing conditions. 

Depending on your own preferences, you may want fish that you can eat.  Or maybe you would rather have ornamental fish.  Either way, they still produce the same waste to feed the plants growing in your Aquaponics system.

I would say that the most important thing to consider is the climate where you live.  If you live in a hot climate, you really should not consider trying to keep rainbow trout for example, they are cold water fish, and you will most certainly lose them if your water temperature is consistently over 24°C.  These sort of temperatures are more ideal for warmer water fish, such as Tilapia. Also, bear in mind the building materials that you use for your fish tank, whether they conduct more heat to the water, or insulate it from the hot/cold.

I live in Switzerland, and keep trout, but in the summer there are regularly days when the outdoor temperature is 35°C, or more, which pushes the water temperature up to 24°C. This really does get me nervous for the trout, but I have an airstone and a second pump running a spraybar overhead to increase the oxygen levels, and I seem to be able to get away with it.  

Of course, if you are going to install your Aquaponics system indoors, then that changes everything, especially if you can regulate the air temperature.  You could have cold water, or warmer water fish, (maybe you would consider a water heater for this ) or, you could have smaller Aquaponics system set up in conjunction with your freshwater aquarium.  The constrictions are less, making your choice of fish wider.  You don't have the worries of snow and ice, or heatwaves, but you may be restricted by space for holding tanks and growbeds.  Don't be discouraged, where there is will there is a way, there are always solutions.  You could install your system in a greenhouse, or poly-tunnel, in your basement, or even in your living room or kitchen.

So which fish are commonly used in Aquaponics?*

Baramundi

Bass

Bream

Catfish

Goldfish

Koi Carp

Pacu

Perch - Jade, Silver and Yellow.

Tilapia  - Blue, Mozambique, and Nile.

You can also consider freshwater mussels, prawns and crayfish.

In aquarium Aquaponics, you could use, amongst others; 

Angelfish

Betta

Cichlids

Guppies

Mollies

Rainbow Fish

Swordtails

Tetras

In fact I will stick my neck out and say almost any freshwater aquarium fish.  The fish you stock, and plants you want to grow, are only limited by the size of the fish tank.  The important thing is that enough waste is produced by the fish in order to feed the plants.

*These are the fish that I know are suitable for Aquaponics, it doesn't mean there aren't others, and you can add your own ideas in the comments box.  

In summary then, you need to choose the right fish for the right situation.  

I  Love Aquaponics.

photo credit: Rainbow Trout via photopin (license) 

photo credit: cjb20110209017 via photopin (license)
photo credit: Restaurant Obere Mühle: crayfish & char via photopin (license)
photo credit: Aquaponic Greenhouse via photopin (license)