Small Setups Need Small Fish To Maximize Growth -

For an aquaponics system, platys and other small fish can be excellent choices, especially in smaller setups. Here’s a look at platys and other compatible fish for aquaponics:

Platies

Usien, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

– Temperature Range: 70-78°F (21-26°C)

– pH Range: 6.5-8.0

– Diet: Omnivorous

Advantages:

– Hardy Fish: Platies are resilient and can adapt to various water conditions.

– Small Size: They typically grow to about 2-3 inches, making them suitable for smaller systems.

– Colorful: Available in various colors, they add visual appeal to your aquaponics setup.

– Peaceful Nature: Platies are generally non-aggressive and can coexist with other small fish.

Other Suitable Fish for Aquaponics Systems

1. Guppies

Carlos Eduardo Joos, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

– Temperature Range: 72-78°F (22-26°C)

– pH Range: 6.7-8.5

– Diet: Omnivorous

Guppies are small, hardy, and colorful, making them ideal for beginners and small systems.

2. Tetras

Holger Krisp, CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

– Temperature Range: 70-81°F (21-27°C)

– pH Range: 6.0-7.0

– Diet: Omnivorous

Tetras, such as neon tetras or serpae tetras, thrive in small tanks and are visually appealing.

3. Betta Fish

ivabalk https://pixabay.com/pt/users/ivabalk-782511/, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

– Temperature Range: 76-81°F (24-27°C)

– pH Range: 6.0-8.0

– Diet: Carnivorous

Bettas are low-maintenance and can thrive in smaller systems but require a protein-rich diet.

4. Pencilfish

SOK, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

– Temperature Range: 71-82°F (22-28°C)

– pH Range: 5.5-7.0

– Diet: Omnivorous

Pencilfish are small, peaceful, and energetic, making them great companions for other small fish.

5. Dwarf Gourami

André Karwath aka Aka, CC BY-SA 2.5 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5, via Wikimedia Commons

– Temperature Range: 65-72°F (18-22°C)

– pH Range: 7.2-7.6

– Diet: Omnivorous

Dwarf gouramis are colorful and peaceful, suitable for community tanks with other small fish.

Other Options

Depending on your system size and goals, you might also consider:

– Perch:

Gilles San Martin, CC BY-SA 2.5 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5, via Wikimedia Commons

Adaptable to various conditions and good for beginners[5]

– Bass:

Eric Engbretson, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Edible and locally available, but require careful monitoring[5]

– Goldfish:

James St. John, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Hardy and suitable for smaller systems, but not for consumption[5]

– Koi:

Vladimir Menkov, CC BY-SA 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/, via Wikimedia Commons

Good for colder climates and ornamental purposes[4]

– Bluegill:

USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Suitable for various system sizes[1]

Summary

When selecting fish for your aquaponics system, consider factors like tank size, water temperature, and compatibility with other species. Platies, along with guppies, tetras, bettas, pencilfish, and dwarf gouramis, are all excellent choices that thrive in smaller environments while contributing to a balanced ecosystem.

Citations

[1] https://gogreenaquaponics.com/blogs/news/what-are-the-best-fish-for-aquaponics

[2] https://gogreenaquaponics.com/blogs/news/a-full-guide-to-fish-feeding-in-aquaponics

[3] https://gogreenaquaponics.com/blogs/news/the-best-fish-for-desktop-aquaponics-systems

[4] https://www.howtoaquaponic.com/fish/best-fish-for-aquaponics/

[5] https://csdt.org/culture/engineeredecosystems/ecology-bestfish.html