In addition to supplying you with a nutritious food (rich in protein and omega 3s), the aquaponic fish in your system often provide nutrients for the aquaponic vegetables you are growing. Growing fish on your own will save you a lot of money and you will have peace of mind knowing that the fish you consume are free of harmful metals and residues of petroleum, which today is becoming a growing issue for sea-caught fish. Since the costs involved in growing them are very small, you can also make a great income selling aquaponic fish.

So, for your aquaponic farming method, which fish species do you choose? Before making your decision, there are a few things you have to bear in mind. Each species will have distinct requirements and optimum temperature and pH ranges of its own. In addition, certain species (more fish in less space) may be able to expand at a high population density, while others will require more space. Different fish often develop at distinct rates; you probably want those that grow quickly.

Tilapia and trout are two very popular fish species for aquaponic systems. You can go for tilapia if you live in colder places. At temperatures of 82 ° to 86 ° F, they grow best and start dying if the temperature drops below 50 ° F. This is because tilapia loses its resistance to illness and is vulnerable to infections at temperatures below 54 ° F. Of course, you can set up the aquaponics system in a room and still develop tilapia if you live in cold places, just keep your house heated. Tilapias are especially good for aquaponic farming because they are very hardy and can tolerate pH and waste accumulation variability better than most other fish. They will, moreover, grow well in crowded tanks and grow rapidly.

The catfish, which grows best at a temperature of approximately 80 ° F, is another excellent aquaponic fish for warm climates. They are very disease and parasite resistant, but are sensitive to oxygen levels. Make sure you have a strong aerating system in place and conduct periodic tests if you grow catfish.

You can opt for trout if you live in colder regions. While there are slightly different requirements for different trout types, most have an ideal range of 40 ° to 65 ° F. They grow reasonably fast, like tilapia, and make tasty food.

Some aquaponic farmers cultivate goldfish as well. They can now easily be sold to pet-shops to be resold as pets, but these are not used for food. Goldfish are very handy, grow in a number of circumstances and can make a considerable profit. By putting advertisements in local newspapers, you can also sell goldfish directly.

To discover how to get the best yields and fish growth rates, check out Aquaponics 4 You