Pretty much any plant can be grown in aquaponics, at least through the seedling stage. Leafy vegetables such as lettuce, kale and spinach are popular, but carrots, beets, cauliflower, and even houseplants and flowering plants can do well. Imagine your greenhouse full of arugula, bok choy and delectable mushrooms. In large, well-established systems, tomatoes, cucumbers, pineapples and even corn can be produced in large amounts. Just like in gardens or aquariums, it’s possible to grow a variety of plants and fish together. Be sure to take into consideration the eating habits of your choices - carnivorous fish like bass may quickly eat up all your carefully bred young koi, for example
For commercial growers, tilapia is very popular because it has proven reliably profitable when sold to restaurants, grocery stores, and other local businesses. Individuals and community systems can also grow crappie, brim, catfish, common tropical fish for aquariums, and even koi or fancy goldfish. When you’re choosing your crops, be sure to select varieties that will thrive together. It’s hard to imagine that plants and fish might not get along, but when requirements differ in temperature and pH levels, you may end up sacrificing one for the other, or settling in some middle range where neither are very happy. Tilapia and koi are both easy and hardy fish that can survive even when the water quality is not ideal. However, koi can become quite large, and need plenty of room to move. Tilapia, on the other hand, are prolific breeders, and can quickly become overcrowded in small setups.
