Meet the Fish: Carp in Aquaponics

We’re sadly coming to the end of our Meet the Fish series, but that doesn’t mean we won’t go out with a bang! Carp is one of the lower-risk options compared to other common fish used in aquaponics. This is due to their adaptability to various water temperatures.

Let’s talk about Carp as your choice of fish for Aquaponics.

Ideal for the budding entrepreneur, carp have a rapid growth rate which makes the harvesting period roll around more frequently. Carp have an ideal water temperature range of between 20°C and 32°C but can tolerate a certain level of temperature fluctuations. The ideal pH is between 7.5 and 8.0 for optimal growth. Also, make sure to keep the dissolved oxygen level at around 5ppm.

Carp thrive off of a medium level protein diet as they are omnivorous. So, make sure to include a mixture of plants, insects and other protein sources. They like to eat once a day and they only eat over a short period of time. However, we always make a point of recommending a high-quality feed to ensure optimal fish health.

Of course, if you are looking for a more decorative fish to have in your system, then you should look at Koi as an option for your aquaponic journey. Koi fall under the carp family and therefore they also make for a fairly sturdy fish to farm in your system. Koi and goldfish can be mixed in with common carp however, you will have some hybrids should you let them breed.

For optimal growth conditions, Koi prefer a temperature range between 15°C and 25°C. Unlike some other fish species, Koi can actually benefit from a certain amount of sunlight. However, make sure you still provide a shady spot for the fish to cool off in the tank. Also, make sure to monitor that the sun exposure doesn’t throw your temperature out of the optimal range. A pH of around 7.5 is ideal for Koi and a dissolved oxygen level of above 7ppm is desired but be careful and ensure that this doesn’t negatively affect your plants.

Similar to the common carp, Koi aren’t as susceptible to disease as some of the other fish choices in aquaponics. What we love the most about Koi is the fact that they are low maintenance. Koi are quite an independent fish breed. They can eat quite naturally, feeding on algae, worms and other vegetables.

Whether you want to go for the more decorative approach with some Koi or the monetized approach with some common carp, we couldn’t recommend carp enough for the budding aquaponics enthusiast. We hope you enjoyed our Meet the Fish Series and now have a clearer understanding about which fish you would like to farm in your system. However, if you are still a little unsure about which fish is best suited for your system needs, then make sure to book a consultation with us.