An Investigation on Tilapia Culture in Aquaponic System in Iran

Water shortage and deficit of agricultural soil are limiting agents for development of agronomy, especially in dry areas, such as Iran. Tilapia is an important commercial fish because of its fast growth, tolerance to environmental conditions and diseases, possibility of intensive culture, low costs of production and marketable flavor. Production of aquatic and agricultural crops in an aquaponic system would ask these expectations. Aquaponic system that includes combination of hydroponics and water recycling systems was examined for modulated culture of tilapia and agricultural crops at the present study. Tilapia fries with 6.2 g and 5.9 g mean weight and stocking density of 40 m were respectively stocked in two 2.5 m tanks at September 2013 for 9 months. Fish culture in the two tanks tended to 17.2 kg/m and 19 kg/m fish production with 658 g and 596 mean final weights, 98% and 100% survival and 1.4 and 1.6 food conversion rates. Plants were implanted using grow beds, floating rafts and nutrient film methods. Monthly production of mint, basil, lettuce, cucumber, tomato and pepper were 1.14, 0.5-0.8, 1.32, 2.7-4, 2.03-3.4 and 1.1 kg/m crops, respectively.