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Recommended Plants and Fish in Aquaponics

Urban Green Farms

The fish and plants you select for your aquaponic system should have similar needs as far as temperature and pH. There will always be some compromise to the needs of the fish and plants but, the closer they match, the more success you will have.

As a general rule, warm, fresh water, fish and leafy crops such as lettuce and herbs will do the best. In a system heavily stocked with fish, you may have luck with fruiting plants such as tomatoes and peppers.

Fish that we have raised in aquaponics with good results:

  • tilapia

  • blue gill/brim

  • sunfish

  • crappie

  • koi

  • fancy goldfish

  • pacu

  • various ornamental fish such as angelfish, guppies, tetras, swordfish, mollies

Other fish raised in aquaponics:

  • carp

  • barramundi

  • silver perch, golden perch

  • yellow perch

  • Catfish

  • Large mouth Bass

Plants that will do well in any aquaponic system:

  • any leafy lettuce

  • pak choi

  • kale

  • swiss chard

  • arugula

  • basil

  • mint

  • watercress

  • chives

  • most common house plants

Plants that have higher nutritional demands and will only do well in a heavily stocked, well established aquaponic system:

  • tomatoes

  • peppers

  • cucumbers

  • beans

  • peas

  • squash

  • broccoli

  • cauliflower

  • cabbage

These are of the other crops that have been grown in aquaponic systems:

  • bananas

  • dwarf citrus trees: lemons, limes and oranges

  • dwarf pomegranate tree

  • sweet corn

  • micro greens

  • beets

  • radishes

  • carrots

  • onions

  • edible flowers: nasturtium, violas, orchids

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