How to Raise Salmon in Aquaponics

While tilapia and goldfish are commonly used in aquaponic systems due to their hardiness, some growers look to cold-water fish like salmon for their nutritional value, market potential, and culinary appeal. But here’s the big question: Can you really raise salmon in a home aquaponics system?

If you're aiming to grow high-protein fish alongside leafy greens in a sustainable, soil-free setup, this guide is for you.

Can You Raise Salmon in a Home Aquaponics System?

Yes, you can raise salmon in aquaponics, but it’s not for beginners. Salmon require colder water temperatures, high oxygen levels, and very clean conditions, which means your system needs to be more advanced and tightly managed compared to one used for tilapia or koi.

Here’s what makes salmon both challenging and rewarding in aquaponics:

What Makes It Possible:

• Recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) can replicate natural cold-water environments with chilling and filtration technology.
  
• Salmon fingerlings are now more accessible to hobby growers through hatcheries and aquaponic supply networks.
  
• Salmon waste is nutrient-rich, ideal for feeding cool-season vegetables like spinach, lettuce, parsley, and kale.
  

What Makes It Challenging:

• Water temperature must stay between 48°F and 58°F (9°C and 14°C), which means you’ll need a chiller or a cooling system if you live in a warm climate.
  
• Oxygenation needs are high, requiring consistent aeration and water flow.
  
• Protein-rich diets lead to more fish waste, which demands a well-designed biofiltration system to manage ammonia and nitrite levels.
• Longer grow-out time compared to tilapia, salmon can take 12–18 months to reach harvest size.

Why Raise Salmon in Aquaponics Systems?

Salmon is a great-tasting fish and is also packed with nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, which are known for helping lower blood pressure, improve cell functions, and many more. Raising salmon in aquaponics systems prevents the fish from growing in poor environmental conditions and potentially being exposed to harmful chemicals. Making them healthier than salmon caught in the wild. Here are the pros and cons of raising salmon in aquaponics systems.

Pros:

1. Healthy Fish: Salmon is a good source of essential vitamins and minerals that help keep our bodies strong and healthy. 
2. Delicious Taste: Salmon is not only a healthy fish but also has a delicious taste.
3. High Market Demand: Salmon is considered a top fish product and the second most-consumed seafood in the USA.
4. Social fish: Salmon can grow well with other fish, like trout.
5. Cold Tolerance: Salmon is well adapted to cold weather. So they are great for aquaponics systems that are located in a colder climate.

Cons

1. Temperature Control: Salmon do not do well in warm temperatures, so if you live in a warmer climate, you must ensure that their water meets their ideal temperature range.
2. Picky Eater: Adult salmon are predatory fish and will only eat meat. Some of their food in the wild is smaller fish, squid, and shrimp. So if you're only growing salmon as a hobby, their food might be pricey.
3. Disease-Prone: Salmon are known to be disease-prone.

Aquaponics System Requirements for Raising Salmon

Raising salmon in aquaponics demands more precision than typical warm-water fish setups. These cold-water species require stable, well-managed conditions that mimic their natural habitat as closely as possible which means upgrading your system’s filtration, temperature control, and oxygenation capabilities.

Here’s what a salmon-ready aquaponics system should include.

1. Cold Water Temperature Control

• Salmon thrive in water temperatures between 48°F and 58°F (9°C to 14°C).
• Consistency is key, even brief spikes above 60°F can stress the fish and reduce oxygen levels.

Solutions:

• Aquarium chillers for indoor or climate-controlled environments
  
• Geothermal cooling loops for passive outdoor systems
  
• Insulated tanks or containers to reduce thermal fluctuations

2. High Oxygenation and Flow Rate

• Salmon are oxygen-hungry, especially in cooler water where their metabolism is slower but oxygen saturation is higher.

Minimum requirements:

• Dissolved Oxygen (DO): 6–8 mg/L
  
• Flow rate: At least 1–2 full tank turnovers per hour
  
• Aeration tools:Air stones, diffusers, and backup air pumps

3. Tank Design & Size

• Salmon need space to grow and swim against currents, mimicking their natural behavior.
• Recommended minimum: 500–1,000 liters per group of 10–15 juvenile fish
• Depth: At least 2–3 feet to help maintain temperature and reduce stress
  
• Shape:Round or oval tanks promote better water circulation and waste removal
  

4. Biofiltration and Water Cycling

Salmon produce a lot of ammonia, which must be converted by nitrifying bacteria into nitrites and then nitrates, a process known as the nitrogen cycle.

Your system should include:

• Dedicated biofilter tank (or bio-media in sump tanks)
  
• High-surface-area filter media (e.g., K1 kaldnes or ceramic rings)
  
• Consistent water testing (pH, ammonia, nitrites, nitrates)
  

Healthy bacteria colonies are crucial. Let the system cycle fully before introducing salmon fingerlings.

5. System Sizing and Stocking Density

For salmon, aim for a low to moderate stocking density to reduce stress and keep waste manageable.

• Stocking rule of thumb: 1 lb of fish per 5–7 gallons of water
  
• Use a fish-to-plant ratio of roughly 1:2 to 1:3 by weight to ensure plants can absorb nitrogen output effectively
  

Equipment Checklist for a Salmon Aquaponics System

Setting up a salmon aquaponics system takes more than a basic kit. Because salmon require cooler water, higher oxygen levels, and pristine water quality, your equipment list needs to be optimized for cold-water aquaponics performance.

Here’s a comprehensive checklist of the gear you’ll need to get started, with tips on recommended specs and optional upgrades for advanced growers.

1.Fish Tank(500–1,000+ Liters)

• Material: Food-grade HDPE or fiberglass
  
• Shape: Round or oval for efficient water flow
  
• Feature to look for:Bottom drain for waste removal
  

2. Water Chiller (Rated for Full Tank Volume)

• Type: Inline or drop-in
  
• Capacity:Match to tank size in gallons/liters
  
• Add-on:Digital temperature controller for automation
  

3. Aeration System

• Air pump (high-output, low-noise)
  
• Air stones or ceramic diffusers
  
• Backup power system (battery or generator)
  
• Dissolved oxygen meter (optional, for serious growers)
  

4. Water Pumps

• Flow rate: At least 2x tank volume per hour
  
• Head height:Match to system elevation changes
• Energy-efficient models are ideal for 24/7 operation

5. Biofilter (Nitrification Media)

• Bio-media tank with K1, Bio Balls, or ceramic rings
  
• Aerated and protected from light exposure
  
• Sizing rule:At least 60–100 liters of media for small home systems
  

6. Grow Beds or Rafts

• Media baseds (gravel, clay pebbles) for low-tech setups
  
• NFT or DWC for higher-yield systems
  
• Ensure root zone stays cool and well-aerated
  

7. Water Testing Kit

Must include:

• Ammonia
  
• Nitrite
  
• Nitrate
  
• pH
  
• KH/GH
  
• Dissolved oxygen (optional)
  

Feeding and Caring for Salmon in Aquaponics

Once your system is set up and your water is fully cycled, your attention shifts to daily care, especially feeding your salmon and ensuring they grow in a clean, healthy environment. Salmon are carnivorous cold-water fish, which means they have specific dietary and habitat needs you can’t ignore.

Here’s how to keep your salmon thriving in your aquaponics system.

1. What to Feed Salmon in Aquaponics? 

Salmon require a high-protein diet formulated for carnivorous fish. Unlike omnivorous tilapia, they can’t thrive on plant-based pellets.

Recommended Salmon Feed:

• Floating commercial pellets (40–50% protein)
  
• Cold-water carnivore pellets with fishmeal or krill
  
• Optional: live feed supplements like black soldier fly larvae or small crustaceans
  

2. Feeding Schedule

• Juvenile fish: 2–3 times per day, small portions
  
• Sub-adult to adult:1–2 times per day
  
• Feed amount: Only what they consume in 5–10 minutes
  
• Remove uneaten food to avoid water quality issues
  

3. Water Quality Monitoring

Consistent water quality is non-negotiable for salmon care.

Check weekly (or daily when problems arise):

• Ammonia:0 ppm
  
• Nitrites: 0 ppm
  
• Nitrates:< 80 ppm
  
• pH: 6.8–7.2
  
• Dissolved Oxygen (DO): 6–8 mg/L
  
• Temperature:48–58°F (9–14°C)
  

4. Salmon Health & Disease Prevention

Salmon are sensitive to poor conditions, so prevention is better than cure.

Common Issues in Aquaponics:

Problem	Symptom	Cause	Prevention Tips
Ammonia Stress	Lethargy, gill damage	Overfeeding or poor filtration	Check biofilter, reduce feed
Fungal Infections	White patches on skin or gills	Poor water quality, injury	Improve oxygenation, isolate fish
Fin Rot	Ragged fins, discoloration	High organic load, stress	Clean tank, monitor parameters
Swim Bladder Issues	Floating or sinking problems	Overfeeding, poor diet	Soak pellets, reduce feed amounts

5. Behavioral Monitoring

Healthy salmon:

• Swim actively in groups
  
• Respond quickly to feeding
  
• Show no signs of gasping or clamped fins
  

If you notice sluggish swimming, isolation, or surface gasping, check oxygen and ammonia levels immediately.

Challenges of Raising Salmon in Aquaponics

Raising salmon in aquaponics is rewarding, but it’s not beginner-friendly. Compared to tilapia or goldfish, salmon demand tighter water control, colder conditions, and greater system stability. Understanding the challenges early can help you avoid costly mistakes and decide if salmon is the right fish for your setup.

1. Temperature Management

Challenge: Salmon require cold water (48–58°F / 9–14°C) year-round, but aquaponics systems often warm up due to pumps, lighting, and ambient temperatures — especially in warm climates.

Risks:

• Heat stress or death if water exceeds ~65°F
  
• Reduced dissolved oxygen levels
  
• Slower plant growth if water is too cold
  

Solutions:

• Invest in a reliable water chiller
  
• Shade your system or bury tanks to stabilize temps
  
• Use insulation for both tanks and grow beds
  

2. High Oxygen Demands

Challenge: Salmon are active swimmers and require more oxygen than most common aquaponics fish.

Risks:

• Suffocation during power outages
  
• Slower growth or illness with suboptimal DO levels
  

Solutions:

• Use high-output aeration systems with redundancy
  
• Add backup battery-powered air pumps
  

• Monitor DO with a dissolved oxygen meter (especially in summer)
  

3. Water QualitySensitivity

Challenge:Salmon are less tolerant of ammonia, nitrites, and pH swings than hardy species like tilapia or catfish.

Risks:

• Sudden ammonia spikes can be fatal
  
• Stress from fluctuating pH = higher disease risk
  

Solutions:

• Cycle your system completely before adding fish
  
• Test water regularly (especially during feeding changes)
  
• Use buffering agents like crushed coral to stabilize pH
  

4. Cost of Feed and Equipment

Challenge:

Carnivorous fish like salmon need specialized, high-protein diets, and the gear to support their environment (like chillers and oxygen systems) can be expensive.

Risks:

• Higher startup and operational costs
  
• DIY shortcuts may backfire (e.g., underpowered chillers)
  

Solutions:

• Budget realistically and invest in quality equipment
  
• Offset feed costs with insect protein or homegrown supplements
  
• Consider grant funding or small-scale trials before scaling up
  

5. Disease Vulnerability

Challenge:

Cold-water fish systems can harbor fungal and bacterial issues if not maintained properly. Salmon are particularly prone to stress-related illness.

Risks:

• Fungal infections
  
• Fin rot
  
• External parasites (in outdoor systems)
  

Solutions:

• Maintain stable water parameters
  
• Isolate sick fish early
  
• Sanitize tools and avoid cross-contamination
  
• Quarantine new stock before adding them
  

Harvesting Salmon from Your Aquaponics System

Once your salmon have reached a mature weight of 1.5 to 4 kg (3–9 lbs) — depending on species and goals, it’s time to harvest. Whether you're growing for personal consumption or small-scale sales, harvesting requires planning, humane methods, and food-safe handling.

When Are Salmon Ready to Harvest?

1. Look for:

• Full body shape (torpedo-like, thick midsection)
  
• Slowed growth rate (plateau)
  
• Consistent size across the group
  

2. Cleaning and Processing

Right after dispatch:

1. Bleed the fish by cutting the gills and placing in cold, clean water
   
2. Gut the fish immediately to prevent spoilage
   
3. Rinse thoroughly with cold, chlorine-free water
   
4. Chill or ice fish down to <4°C (39°F) ASAP
   

3. Storage and Preservation

Short-Term Storage:

• Refrigerator (whole or filleted): 1–3 days
  
• Iced in cooler: Up to 24 hours (change ice frequently)
  

Long-Term Storage:

• Vacuum seal + freezer: Up to 6 months
  
• Cold smoke + refrigerate or freeze
  
• Pressure canning for shelf-stable salmon
  

Conclusion

Raising salmon in an aquaponics system is a rewarding but challenging journey that blends the art of fish farming with sustainable gardening. While salmon require careful attention to temperature, water quality, and feeding, the payoff is fresh, nutritious fish alongside vibrant, nutrient-rich plants. Whether you’re a seasoned aquaponics enthusiast or looking to take your skills to the next level, salmon aquaponics offers a unique opportunity to create a truly closed-loop, eco-friendly food system.

Ready to dive deeper and master the skills needed for successful aquaponics?

We recommend checking out Sylvia Bernstein’s comprehensive aquaponics video course on Udemy. It’s packed with expert insights, practical tips, and step-by-step guidance that can help you build and maintain a thriving aquaponics system including salmon.

Start your aquaponics journey today and turn your backyard or indoor space into a sustainable source of fresh fish and vegetables.

Click here to explore Sylvia Bernstein’s Udemy course  and take your aquaponics skills to the next level!