South American fish species suitable for aquaponics: a review

Abstract

Tilapia and catfish are the most popular fish species in aquaponics. However, they are not well-accepted in all markets, and finding alternative species is important in order to increase the variety of food products and meet market demands. South America has several potential fish species for aquaponics systems. Encouraging the implementation of integrated aquaculture systems by providing information about the production of South American species can help to increase the supply of high-quality food and aquaculture diversification. Thus, data for five South American fish species with potential for aquaponics were compared with existing data for the main traditional warm water species in this system, tilapia and catfish. Moreover, the degree of suitability of the novel species for these systems in terms of zootechnical performance, tolerance to water quality and nutritional composition of fish flesh were discussed. The South American species considered were jundia or silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen), yellowtail lambari (Astyanax lacustris), pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus), tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) and snook (Centropomus spp.). Their description and the tabular comparison with the most traditional aquaponic-cultured species show they are suited for this production system. How suitable they are will depend on the system design, as well as the regional characteristics of the market where they will be produced.

The aquaponic principle—It is all about coupling

“…In practice, various tilapia, carp and catfish species are the most common species of choice 94,95 . However, many other species such as rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss ), largemouth bass ( Micropterus salmoides ), tambaqui ( Colossoma macropomum ) or barramundi ( Lates calcarifer ) are potentially suitable 1,93,96 . Even brackish or saltwater species and crustaceans in combination with complementary plant species may present opportunities to widen the scope of aquaponic production 97,98 …”

“…(1) The relation between fish feed and hydroponic area, for example, the University of the Virgin Island's feeding ratio suggest 60–100 g fish feed per m² hydroponics and day based on a deep flow approach 30,84 . Albeit, the quality of the diets is related to the nutritional requirement of each fish species and their developmental stages 96 . Therefore, the amount of nitrogen input will be different.…”

“…94,95 However, many other species such as rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) or barramundi (Lates calcarifer) are potentially suitable. 1,93,96 Even brackish or saltwater species and crustaceans in combination with complementary plant species may present opportunities to widen the scope of aquaponic production. 97,98 Microbially converted metabolic emissions from fish and 'uneaten feed and organisms (e.g.…”

“…30,84 Albeit, the quality of the diets is related to the nutritional requirement of each fish species and their developmental stages. 96 Therefore, the amount of nitrogen input will be different.…”

Produção integrada de tambaqui com hortaliças em residência urbana

“…Contudo, existem poucos estudos relacionados à aquaponia, dessa forma, pesquisas ainda são necessárias, principalmente as que são voltadas para a definição de parâmetros básicos para que sejam avaliados por exemplo, a taxa de lotação, a capacidade de suporte do sistema ou até mesmo a melhor integração entre espécies de peixes e plantas (Buss et al, Research, Society and Development, v. 11, n. 8, e51811831189, 2022 (CC BY 4.0) | ISSN 2525-3409 | DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v11i8.31189 3 2015; Maucieri et al, 2019;Pinho et al, 2021;Atique et al, 2022). Sendo assim, objetivou-se com a presente pesquisa, demonstrar de maneira clara e objetiva para a população a possibilidade de produzir peixes e hortaliças em pequenos espaços, principalmente nos centros urbanos, além de levar informações sobre o desenvolvimento e cultivo das hortaliças e dos peixes, para que aumente o interesse nessa modalidade de produção de alimentos saudáveis e de baixo custo.…”