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Unit 9.1 Fish Selection

2. Aquaponics
Fish Selection

3. Fish used in aquaponics
Most commonly raised fish type is tilapia
Hardy, grow rapidly, popular food fish, tolerate varying water quality, most aquaponics research has been conducted using tilapia
Certain species of tilapia may not be legal in certain areas; contact local fisheries department
Other fish used in aquaponics include bluegill, largemouth bass, catfish, koi, goldfish, jade perch, barramundi, murray cod, trout
When deciding what fish to culture
What water temperature can be maintained
Stocking density
What species are legal
Is there a local market for the species
Is the appropriate feed available

4. Tilapia Cichlid family Tropical and sub-tropical regions
Origin: Africa
Introduced: Asia, Japan, Russia, India, Europe, the Americas
Easily bred and tolerate a wide range of water conditions
According to U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 Statistical Abstract, Health & Nutrition: Food Consumption and Nutrition Tilapia is the 4th largest consumed seafood product in the U.S.
Some hatcheries specialize in raising hybrid all male tilapia
Grow nearly twice as fast as females

5. Tilapia culturing conditions
Dissolved Oxygen
Can survive at levels as low as 0.5mg/L
Preferred range 3-10mg/L
5mg/L
Temperature
64°-90°F
Ideal 80°F
72°-74°F pH
7.0
Ammonia
mg/L (ppm)
0.0mg/L
Alkalinity
50-250mg/L
CO2
0-30mg/L
Hardness
50-350mg/L
Salinity
0-10ppt
Nitrite
0-0.8mg/L

6. Tilapia culturing conditions
FEED:
Omnivorous
Commercial Systems Use Pelleted food (aquaculture/aquaponics)
Correct ratio of vitamins, minerals, amino acids (protein), fatty acids (lipids), monosaccharides (carbohydrates)
Low tech/hobby systems
Algae
Duckweed
Azolla
Worms
Insect larvae
Lower growth rates

7. Tilapia culturing conditions
Growth rate
Stocking density
Food
Water quality
Ideal conditions tilapia can grow to 2.5 lbs. in 6 months
Breeding
77°-86°F
Females spawn every 4-6 weeks
Mouth-brooders – female incubates fertilized eggs in her mouth
Male builds nest
Female lays eggs in nest
Male fertilizes eggs
Female collects fertilized eggs in her mouth and holds them for 4-8 days until they hatch and for another 3-5 days post-hatch
Fry swim in schools but return to mother’s mouth if danger is present

9. Koi Domesticated common carp Selectively bred for color and finnage
Thick skin and heavy scales – less likely to succumb to skin disease
Can bring a higher price for ornamental value than edible fish bring for food value

10. Koi culturING conditions
Dissolved Oxygen
Minimum 4mg/L
Maximum 10mg/L
Temperature
65°-75°F pH
Ammonia
mg/L
Nitrite
mg/L
Alkalinity
50-250mg/L
CO2
0-25mg/L
Hardness
50-350mg/L
Chloride
0-2000mg/L
Salinity
0-4mg/L

11. Koi cultuRING conditions
Growth rate
Quality feed
3-4 inches per year
Feed
Omnivorous – eat anything small enough to ingest
Teeth are in throat not in mouth
Newly hatched koi
Very small foods such as infusoria, newly hatched brine shrimp and daphnia
Adult koi
High-quality pelleted or flaked foods from aquaculture supplies

12. Koi culturING conditions
Breeding
Females 3 years of age
Males 2 years of age
Two to three males per female
Spawning mat for female to lay eggs on
100,000 eggs per kilogram of body weight per spawn
Remove broodstock to allow eggs to hatch
Eggs hatch 4-7 days and another few days to absorb yolk sac and begin free swimming

13. Reference
Nelson, R. L. Aquaponic Food Production Raising Fish and Plants for Food and Profit Nelson and Pade, Inc. Montello, WI. Pgs
With contributions from John S. Pade