Optimizing Koi Carp, <i>Cyprinus carpio</i> var. <i>Koi (Linnaeus, 1758)</i>, Stocking Density and Nutrient Recycling With Spinach in an Aquaponic System

Abstract

Abstract Fish waste water nutrient recycling in an aquaponic system was studied under different stocking densities of Koi Carp, Cyprinus carpio var. koi , along with spinach, Beta vulgaris var. bengalensis . Fish growth performance, plant growth, nutrient dynamics, and nutrient removal and their dependence on different stocking densities, namely 1.4, 2.1, and 2.8, were observed, of the different combinations, fish stocked at 1.4 kg/m 3 had the best growth. Percent nutrient removal ( NO 3 –N, PO 4 –P, and K) was significantly higher at 1.4 kg/m 3 . Thus, 1.4 kg/m 3 stocking density can be suggested as optimum for Koi Carp production in spinach aquaponic systems.