There are many different species of fish that can be used for aquaponics. When deciding what type of fish to use in your system, there are a few things that need to be considered. The first and most important thing to think about is your local climate. Different species of fish need different water temperatures to survive. We must make sure that the required water temperature for our fish can be maintained at the location of the system. For instance, fish like trout and bass that usually live in colder water will not survive a summer out here in Coachella Valley, at least not without the aid of expensive water chillers running 24/7. Likewise, tilapia would never survive a winter in the mountains where it snows.

The next thing to consider is whether or not the fish you choose are going to be edible. Do you plan on consuming these fish? If so, do you plan on breeding them to replace the ones you eat? There are many edible fish that can be used for aquaponics. Here in Southern California, tilapia, catfish, blue-gill and freshwater sunfish like crappie are all popular. Keep in mind, that because tilapia are considered an invasive species, they are only legal in a handful of counties. Riverside County is one of them. We sell black, gold and hybrid tilapia of all sizes. We occasionally have catfish in stock as well. All of our fish are 100% organically raised and have never been treated with any type of antibiotics or hormones, nor have they ever endured overcrowded conditions.

If you don’t eat fish, or simply choose not to use an edible species, there are still plenty of options. Carp, koi, goldfish and other aquarium breeds are often kept instead. Most of these fish are very hardy and do well in aquaponic systems. Purchasing food for these fish is often a bit easier as well. Keep in mind that most commercially available fish foods are full of chemicals and additives, and even if you don’t plan on eating these fish, some of those chemicals may still make their way into your plants. For that reason we suggest an all organic fish food.

Another thing to consider is the availability of food needed to keep the fish fed and working. We recommend using an all-organic feed for omnivorous fish, but since it’s next to impossible to get in stores, we suggest you find a reliable source online (like us!). That, or you can try growing your own fish food. Many aquaponic gardeners grow duckweed for this purpose. For carnivorous fish, you’ll need to make sure you have a source for worms, crickets, flies, etc. Carnivorous fish are a bit more of a chore, but well worth it. I’ve found that raising crickets and worms for fish food is extremely easy. Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have when deciding on the right fish for your system.