Are Koi a Good Choice for Aquaponic Gardens?

There are really two reasons to raise fish.  The first being, obviously, for food and the second reason being for profit.  Regardless of why you are keeping them, fish are an essential part of the aquaponic garden set up.  Based on that, there are really two different types of fish that you can raise.  Edible and ornamental.

Raising edible fish is a fantastic for of insurance for your food supply.  Clean, healthy protein is always a good idea but what if you're not worried about that?  Say for example you prefer beef, or maybe you don't even eat meat but you see aquaponics as a great way to grow better than organic fruits and vegetables! What would be the point of edible fish in your garden then?

Raising ornamental fish in your aquaponic garden can be a great way to build a steady, home based, income if you go about it correctly.  For example, let’s discuss the four beautiful koi I have added to my system recently.  You can check out the quick HD video I posted to YouTube if you would like a look at them.

These four fish cost just over $70 total at their current size.  In a year or so, after they have grown 8-12 inches, each of those fish could easily be worth that and more!  Pound for pound, my research suggests that koi are one of the most valuable fish that I could fuel my garden with.  Once they are between two and three feet in length, any one of those koi could sell for enough to pay for a whole new backyard greenhouse.  In time, as they mature enough, these koi could become brood stock for my own breeding program at Clean Valley Farms!  Granted, I will be selecting from far more than just four when that time comes but they could easily be in the running with some of the qualities they possess.

We all have our aquaponic gardens for our own reasons.  Since I am lucky enough to live between two well stocked freshwater lakes, edible fish is not one of mine.  On that note, check out Talkquaponics.com for our coming online koi auction page!  The videos will be updated weekly so that bidders can see exactly how their desired koi is doing and know exactly what they are buying.  One of these four will soon be listed for bidding so be sure to check often.

Happy harvests everyone & blessed be!
JT Bear