Alternative Fish to Culture in Aquaponics Chris Hartleb University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Northern Aquaculture Demonstration Facility Aquaponics Innovation Center Aquaponic System (Coupled) Fish tanks Raft tank Water pump Clarifier (solids filter) Degassing tank Mineralization tanks & biofilter Air pump Aquaponic System (Decoupled) • Raise cool and cold water fish • Greater management Selection Criteria • Compatibility – fish, plants, bacteria, humans • Availability – source of fish, regulations & quantity • Marketing – will you sell them? To whom? Compatibility Plants Bacteria Parameter Range Parameter Optimum Range Temperature 60-80oF / 15-26oC Temperature: pH Preferred: 5.8 - 6.2 Nitrosomonas 68 – 86oF / 20 – 30oC Maximum: 7.0 - 7.5 Nitrobacter 82 – 100oF / 28 – 38oC pH: Nitrosomonas 7.2 – 7.8 Fish Nitrobacter 7.2 – 8.2 Parameter Range Temperature 60-80oF / 15-26oC Compromise: pH 7.0 – 8.0 Temperature: 70-80oF / 21 - 26oC pH = 7.0 Availability • Know your nursery provider • Quarantine new fish • Acclimate upon arrival • Year-round availability or when you need it? Marketing • Raise fish that customers want to buy • Sell your fish before you grow them • No such thing as too much marketing • Enthusiasm > Knowledge Factors Affecting Fish Growth Rate • Water quality • Water temperature • Age/size • Health • Genetics • Stocking density Generalized Fish Categories Group DO required Ammonia Protein Temperature tolerance requirement (oF) Coldwater >5 mg/L Low High <60 Coolwater >5 mg/L Low Moderate 60-75 Warmwater >2 mg/L Moderate Moderate >75 Tolerance Ranges