Aquaponics Fish Care
The Fish Engine
Type of fish
Red Tilapia is an optimal choice for initiating an aquaponic system due to its resilience and adaptability to fluctuations in system conditions compared to other fish species.
Below is a short list of fish species utilized in aquaponic systems, along with their preferred operational conditions:
When selecting fish for your aquaponic system, it is crucial to consider the specific conditions of your local environment, particularly temperature and water quality. Additionally, it is essential to align your fish selection with market demand and your specific requirements.
We recommend considering Red Tilapia or Jade Perch as initial choices for aquaponic fish. Barramundi is also a suitable aquaponic fish species, but it is exceptionally challenging to feed.
Tilapia
Description
High-quality, lean protein.
Sinking pellets, flakes, shrimp, bloodworms, green food.
Optimum maturity
6 months
Growth
Fast-growing.
800g-1kg, 20-60cm
Water temperature
16-32°C (ideally 25-30°C)
Special considerations
Very robust and adaptable.
omnivorous
pH 7-8
Diet
Fast-growing fish with deep, compressed bodies, long spined dorsal fins, and small scales.
Excellent protein, low fat,
Easily farmed.
Feed with tilapia fish pellets.
Nutritional Profile
Protein: High-quality, lean protein
Fat: low, contains essential fatty acids (omega-3s)
Vitamins & Minerals: Rich in essential nutrients.
Catfish
Description
Highly diverse group of ray-finned fish known for their distinct physical and behavioral characteristics.
Optimum maturity
3 months
Growth
500g
Water temperature
20-32 °C
Special considerations
Robust
Diet
Opportunistic omnivores or carnivores, with diets including fish, insects, crustaceans, algae, and detritus.
Feed with sinking pellets at night.
Silver perch
Description
Moderate to large Australian native fish known for its deep, laterally compressed, oval-shaped body and silvery-grey coloration.
Optimum maturity
12 months
Growth
800g
Water temperature
18-28 °C
Special considerations
Can grow large, less fish per tank.
Diet
Omnivorous: feeds on aquatic insects, mollusks, worms, crustaceans, and algae
Green food (spinach, duckweed, azolla)
Jade perch
Description
Australian fish known for fast growth, excellent omega-3 content, and firm, flaky white flesh ideal for eating.
Optimum maturity
6-10 months
Growth
500g, 25-40cm
Water temperature
18-30 °C
Special considerations
Omnivorous
pH: 6.8-7.8
Diet
Omnivorous, eating insects, crustaceans, algae, and zooplankton.
Feed with any food low in protein
Nutritional Profile
Firm, succulent, sweet, flaky, and rich in Omega-3s, with no fine bones.
Murray cod
Description
Australia's largest exclusively freshwater fish, known for its large size, distinctive mottled appearance, and predatory nature
Optimum maturity
12-18 months
Growth
600g
Water temperature
8-24 °C
Special considerations
Robust, need space, grow fast, carnivore, will eat other fish
Diet
As voracious carnivores, their diet primarily consists of other fish, crustaceans, and molluscs, but they have also been known to eat frogs, ducks, water birds, and small mammals like mice and water rats.
Feed with high protein and phosphorus content
Barramundi
Description
Also known as the Asian sea bass or giant perch, is a popular, large-scaled fish renowned for its mild, buttery flavor and firm, flaky texture.
Optimum maturity
12-24 months
Growth
500g-1kg
Water temperature
25-30 °C
Special considerations
Fragile and difficult to feed
Diet
Fish, crustaceous, prawn
Nutritional Profile
Flavor Profile: Mild, sweet, and buttery taste with a low "fishy" odor, making it appealing to a wide range of palates.
Texture: flesh pearly-pink when raw and turns white and opaque when cooked, firm with large, moist flakes and few large, easy-to-remove bones.
Protein: ~19.2g/100g
Total Fat: ~5.3g/100g
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Excellent source, with a high ratio of omega-3s to total fat compared to many other white fish.
Vitamins and Minerals: Rich in essential nutrients including Vitamins A, B, D, E, phosphorus, potassium, and selenium.
Rainbow trout
Description
Medium-sized fish known for its iridescent coloration, black spots, and a prominent pink or red stripe along its sides. Its specifications vary significantly depending on whether it is a freshwater resident or an anadromous (sea-run) form, known as a steelhead.
Optimum maturity
12-18 months
Growth
400g to 800g
Water temperature
12-21 °C. Maximum tolerance 27°C
Prefers cool, clear, and well-oxygenated water, typically in high-gradient streams with gravel bottoms, riffles, and deep pools. They are sensitive to high water temperatures and low pH levels.
Special considerations
Quick growth rate. Good food conversion
Diet
Opportunistic predators. Their diet includes a variety of aquatic and terrestrial insects, snails, crustaceans, and small fish when they grow larger.
Feed with insects, fish, crustaceans, worms, bloodworms, dried shrimps
Protein: ~19-21 g/100g
Fat: ~5-10 g (rich in omega-3 fatty acids)
Vitamins: Excellent source of Vitamins B12 and D.
Bluegill
Description
Popular North American fish known for its deep, flattened body and spirited fight when caught by anglers. Key specifications include its size, appearance, habitat, and diet.
Optimum maturity
24 months
Growth
250g, 10-30cm
Water temperature
16-27 °C
Special considerations
Very unfussy. Eat everything.
Diet
Omnivorous, primarily feeding on small aquatic insects, larvae, snails, and other small invertebrates. Larger individuals may also eat small fish and fish eggs. They primarily use sight to feed during the day.
feed with Sinking pellets, insects, zooplankton, worms, small fish
Maintenance
AHAs fish tank system makes the tanks self cleaning.
Only the thank edges need to be cleaed weekly to remove decaing fish food, algae.
In large farm setup, the solid seperator must be cleaned every year.
Fish mortality
We observe maximum of 5% mortality rate over the six-month lifespan of the tilapia fish. Consequently, it is acceptable to observe one deceased fish once in a while. However, any abnormal rate or an increasing mortality trend should warrant investigation.
Warning
Aquaculture frequently uses antibiotics as preventive maintenance.
Refrain from using antibiotics in aquaponic systems. These substances act as potent bactericides, potentially disrupting the delicate balance of your aquatic ecosystem.
Fish feeding and fish food
We recommend feeding your fish with high-quality fish food that contains at least 32% protein. If possible, choose organic fish food and include probiotics.
Fish feeding is a critical area where operators must rely on their intuition and observation skills. Each tank’s fish size and environment may vary, necessitating different quantities of fish food. Additionally, the size of the fish food pieces should be appropriate for the fish’s size.
It is crucial to maintain the recommended daily fish food intake to ensure appropriate nitrate levels in the system. On average, between 30g and 80g of fish food per square meter is needed, depending on the type of crop or plant. Once the system is mature, the nitrate content determines the specific amount of fish food required. To maintain nitrate levels between 40mg/l and 80mg/l, it is essential to feed the fish daily. The number of plants in the system significantly impacts the food input requirement.
The optimal feeding technique begins with estimating the fish’s expected food consumption. This amount should be consumed within five minutes. Subsequently, observe the fish’s behavior and add more food if they still appear hungry. Approximately 80% of the total daily consumption should serve as the baseline expectation for the following day.
It is advisable to distribute the fish food throughout the day into three distinct feeding sessions. Use fish feeders once your system is mature. Maintaining consistent feeding times throughout the day is crucial for monitoring the fish’s response to their food and assessing their overall health. Morning and evening meals are generally suitable for both humans and fish.
Ensure that all the fish food is consumed promptly to prevent it from accumulating as debris in the MIT.
Any question?
