Fish cultivated by aquaponics techniques are safe to eat. Moreover, they retain their nutrient value because they receive proper feeding and care inside the aquaponics tanks. The issue of aquaponics being less healthy than their counterparts grown in other methods is a wrong assumption. This article can serve as your guide in understanding the health benefits fish aquaponics provide.
What edible fish can you rear in aquaponics?
Determining what type of fish to rear in your fish tanks depends solely on the practitioner's end goals. If the aim is to provide the plants with nutrients to help them grow, then ornamental fish will do. However, if the owner considers selling the fish for human consumption, then edible fish should be introduced into the system.
I provided you with a brief list of aquaponics consumable fish and some basic info about them.
Tilapia
The fish is a famous selection among aquaponics practitioners because it is hardy and adaptable in any kind of situation. It is also one of the best edible aquaponics fish options because it is delicious and can be prepared in a variety of ways. Another noteworthy quality of the fish is its high protein content and grows quickly despite poor water quality.
The tilapia fish is omnivorous, which means it is not choosy in eating foods. Leftovers and plant-based feed work well with tilapia. They are also heavy feeders, allowing the grower to assess their food consumption and adjust feeding practices accordingly quickly.
Ideal temperature: 72 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit (22 to 30 degrees Celsius)
pH requirement: 6.5 to 9
Diet type: Omnivorous
Harvest time: 6 to 9 months
Catfish
This is another hardy fish that is commonly found in many aquaponics farms. Catfish can be stocked in large numbers, and they grow at a fast rate in high temperatures.
Most gardeners prefer this bottom feeder for various reasons, including its adaptability. In a short amount of time, catfish can convert food to body mass. They are also non-territorial, which means they are less likely to fight other species in your tank.
Ideal temperature: 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 24 degrees Celsius)
pH requirement: 5 to 7
Diet type: Omnivorous
Harvest time: 5 to 10 months
Salmon
The fish is famous for its superb taste. Salmon is a favorite fish in many dishes around the world. The fish is also high in nutrients, particularly Omega-3 fatty acids, which have been linked to a variety of health advantages, including decreasing blood pressure and enhancing cell function.
Ideal temperature: 55 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit (13 to 18 degrees Celsius)
pH requirement: 6.5 to 8.5
Diet type: Carnivorous
Harvest time: 5 to 10 months
Trout
Because of its excellent flavor, trout is one of the most widely produced fish on the planet. They're usually fast-growing freshwater fish, so you can steadily build your fish population. They grow to plate size faster than other fish and have excellent flavor and texture.
Because it is a cold-water fish, trout is usually produced as a substitute for tilapia during the winter months. However, unlike tilapia, trout do not survive in foul water, and they typically require larger tanks to reach their full potential.
Ideal temperature: 52 to 62 degrees Fahrenheit (11 to 17 degrees Celsius)
pH requirement: 6.5 to 8
Diet type: Carnivorous
Harvest time: 12 to 18 months
Perch
Because of its taste, resilience, development rate, and nutrition, perch is an excellent choice for aquaponics. When fed omega-3-rich feeds, perch retain more omega-3 fatty acids than any fish. Perch do not reproduce in captivity, although they develop quickly.
Silver and Jade perch are the most common perch varieties raised in aquaponics. Because both types are incredibly adjustable, they are also recommended for newcomers to the aquaponics industry.
Ideal temperature: 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (24 to 27 degrees Celsius)
pH requirement: 6 to 9
Diet type: Carnivorous
Harvest time: 9 to 16 months
Are there any health risks associated with eating fish raised in aquaponics?
Fish is a high-quality, low-fat protein. Fish is high in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins D and B2 (riboflavin). Fish is a good source of calcium and phosphorus, and minerals like iron, zinc, iodine, magnesium, and potassium. Fish is high in protein, vitamins, and nutrients, all of which can assist in lowering blood pressure and lowering the risk of a heart attack or stroke.
But this does not necessarily mean that fish from aquaponics cannot have health risks.
The first risk is the presence of E. coli.
The fact that fish are cold-blooded is the first thing to keep in mind. This means they have a different digestive system than warm-blooded animals. In other words, a fish's gut does not contain E.coli bacteria; thus, you cannot get E.coli from them directly. However, this does not rule out the possibility of E.coli.
E. coli is carried by warm-blooded creatures. If the feces from these warm-blooded animals find up in your aquaponics system, the fish can absorb it through their skin, which can cause E. coli in their stomachs.
Testing your aquaponics system for E.coli is a simple procedure. You'll need to take a water sample from your fish tank. After that, you'll need to put the water through an E.coli tester, which you can get online and which will swiftly inform you whether or not your water is polluted. The water could also come from the raft area of your system if you have a floating raft system.
The second risk would be a person's allergic reactions to fish consumption.
A fish allergy refers to the human body's allergic reaction that causes its immune to release histamine, a substance that results in allergic symptoms.
Some aquaponics fish, such as salmon and tilapia, cause fish allergies to humans. Below are some of the known symptoms of fish allergy:
- raised red bumps of skin – hives (urticaria)
- swelling of the lips
- tingling of the throat and mouth
- itchy skin and rash
- runny nose
- tightening of the throat
- digestive symptoms – cramps, stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting.
(Source: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/about/about-us)
Which aquaponics fish is most nutritious?
Below are the nutrients that the fish I listed above contain.
Tilapia
- Calories: 128
- Carbs: 0 grams
- Protein: 26 grams
- Fats: 3 grams
- Niacin: 24% of the RDI
- Vitamin B12: 31% of the RDI
- Phosphorus: 20% of the RDI
- Selenium: 78% of the RDI
- Potassium: 20% of the RDI
Catfish
- Calories: 105
- Fat: 2.9 grams
- Protein: 18 grams
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Vitamin B12: 121% of the Daily Value (DV)
- Selenium: 26% of the DV
- Phosphorus: 24% of the DV
- Thiamine: 15% of the DV
- Potassium: 19% of the DV
- Cholesterol: 24% of the DV
- Omega-3 fatty acids: 237 mg
- Omega-6 fatty acids: 337 mg
Salmon
- Calories: 121
- Fat: 5.4g
- Sodium: 37.4mg
- Carbohydrates: 0g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugars: 0g
- Protein: 17g
Trout
- Calories: 103
- Fat: 2.94g
- Sodium: 41mg
- Carbohydrates: 0g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugars: 0g
- Protein: 17.4g
Perch
- Calories: 54
- Fat: 1 g
- Sodium: 67.2mg
- Carbohydrates: 0g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugars: 0g
- Protein: 25g
Conclusion:
One of the reasons aquaponics is gaining popularity is that it provides us with nutritious foods such as vegetables, fruits, and fish. The fish grown in aquaponics are undoubtedly healthy because they receive the right amount of food provided by aquaponics practitioners.
