Aquaponics Fish

 

Why we should Choose carefully our aquaponics fish?

The aquaponics fish has great significance. The fish is the number one factor that will ensure the sustainability of your aquaponics system. The fish life cycle produces all the necessary nutrients for the plants you will choose to grow in your system; and for those who love to eat fish, your aquaponics fish will provide the most fresh and organic food ever!

For the people who never had any aquarium experience, we much say, that they should not be hesitant at all, because growing the fish in its aquaponics tank is very easy!

All we have to do is to follow some specific instructions and everything will be OK.

How to select your aquaponics fish for your system?

The selection of the fish species for our aquaponics system will happen after taking careful consideration of the type of climate we live in, as well as the rest of the resources we have in our system. Some kinds of fish need cold climate to survive, as trout for example, while some others like tilapia, will grow only in a hot climate.

We have to think and decide what kind of Aquaponics system we want:
If we like eating fish, we should select an edible species. If we are interested to harvest fish often or we wish to harvest once per year is another decision we have to take; and last but not least, we have to see what fish species is available, because we will need fish to stock our system and make it start to work immediately.

Let’s take a look now at the species that are the most likely to be chosen as Aquaponics fish:

TILAPIA

This fish species is native in Africa and ancient Egyptians were farming it 4000 years ago. Tilapia loves the warm climates and it is the number one choice for farmers that live in locations that can provide them. Tilapia is the most popular Aquaponics fish for the following reasons:

• Have white meat and a mild taste that consumers prefer
• Tilapias like to eat plants and duckweed and the farmer can even choose to not put any fish food and leave the fish to grow the absolute organic way
• Tilapia can live in harder water conditions comparing with other species, and this makes it an easy choice even for beginners
• Ability to convert their food per 2% to 3% body growth daily
• Can be stocked with success in high densities
• Tilapia is ideal food for those who follow a low fat diet
• In healthy tank environment your fish will have a plate size within 4 months

All of the above characteristics made Tilapia the secure and successful choice for aquaponics fish amongst aquaponics systems farmers.

White bass

This fish, along with its delicious taste can be an excellent choice for your tank. It likes to eat small crabs and fish. White bass is laying hundreds of thousands of eggs during the spawning season. The size of this fish is 9 inches long on average.

Barramundi

A fish for warm climates, can be also used as the summer choice in locations that don’t have high temperatures year long. If barramundi will be your fish for the summer in your area then you should buy mature stock for your system so you will be able to harvest your fish by the end of the season. Barramundi will give you a very clean taste.

Crappies

One of the best fish species for your aquaponics. Crappies develop really well in the closed system of aquaponics tank and taste delicious as well. They have to become two years old in order to mate and reproduce; and this can be considered a disadvantage, but it is definitely something to consider. Crappies are carnivorous and like to eat crabs and small insects. Never stock your crappies with bigger fish because they will end up being fish food!!

Catfish

There are many different species of catfish around the world and many of them grow up good as aquaponics fish. The channel catfish is the one that we find in fish farming in the United States and in many places in Australia. Catfish has to be skinned in order to be cooked and has a very nice taste.

Trout

An aquaponics fish for cold water only. This fish with the majestic taste is the best choice throughout the year for growers that live in cold climate locations or for winter months only in places that also have warm seasons. Trout is a fish with high demands and needs pristine water conditions in order to grow up good. We have to know that if we choose trout to grow it in our system we will have some limitations in the selection of the plants we will farm in our grow beds, because most of the aquaponic farming plants like warmer water temperatures.

Jade Perch

A native Australian fish that has the highest concentrations of Omega-3 oils compared to all the other fish species of the planet. You should not choose this fish if you don’t like food with oil content.

Silver Perch

Another native Australian fish that grows good under a variety of conditions. The silver perch is an omnivorous species and enjoys eating small fishes as well as algae. They adjust well in a variety of temperatures but they don’t grow as fast as other species, actually they need 12 to 16 months from fingerlings to turn into plate size.

Goldfish

For the growers that don’t like to eat fish this ornamental species can be a secure choice. Goldfishes can stand even the hardest water conditions. Goldfishes are tropical water fishes and so they like the hot climates. If we want them to breed we have to add to our tank some plant cover.

Coi

Another ornamental species that will thrive in the environment of aquaponics system because it is used to living in large ponds. Both Coi and Goldfish can be sold at pet shops if their growers wish so.

Murray Cod

An Australian fish that can reach enormous sizes when we find it in its natural environment. This aquaponics fish will also do really good in your aquaponics tank and will give you food with great taste. It has to be stocked in high densities and to be fed well.