Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Currently in the process of finalizing my plans for my first aquaponic setup. To further my planning, I am curious on what you all feel are bet feeding practices for your fish (I am planning on using Tilapia and Catfish in separate growing ponds). I have read that worms are too fatty to be feeding frequently and then also read that some supplement with eggs to boost protein. Seems to me that for a natural non-gmo diet, would a combination of worms, eggs, and assorted kitchen scraps then be the way to go? any helpful tips on cheap, organic foods would be greatly appreciated

Catfish and tilapia have fairly specific nutritional requirements for good growth (i.e. % protein, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, protein:energy ratios, etc.). A 100% nutritionally complete feed is best.

It would be difficult to meet these requirements with worms, eggs and table scraps.

High protein sources can cause high ammonia levels.

I recommend caution when feeding fish! Yes it takes a few minutes for them to see the food then its all gone in seconds, then you are tempted to add more? don’t do it! As it takes days off water changes to get the nitrite and ammonia levels back to where they should be, larger fish more ammonia in you system, and keep an eye on your feed? I have noticed heavy oil coming from some feeds,

is it warm enough for Tilapia and catfish in Iowa?

Is it worth the effort to raise feeder fish? I currently have catfish and was wondering if I could raise guppies in a separate tank as a food source for the larger fish. Right now I have mosquito fish with the catfish fingerlings(6-7") who will probably start taking bites at them soon! Does anyone know if there is a nutritional benefit to feeding them live fish along with feed pellets or would it just mess up their feeding habits? Basically what my thought is; is to keep a school of small fish in my fish tank and as the population drops I could breed more.

Max, I've thought the same regarding raising up a separate tank of mosquito fish as feeders.
I had the opportunity to add in a school of well over 100 of them once. At the time I thought the bluegill were too small to be interested in eating them, boy was I wrong! They went through and picked off the dead or dying ones immediately. The living mosquito fish schooled up but didn't take advantage of a floating milk crate as cover. There wasn't a single one left the next morning.

Might be nice to raise them in a separate tank outdoors to act as a mosquito trap?