Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

So, if the tilapia get into the raft tank in a raft system, and eating the roots of the plants is a problem...why not harvest the roots of the plants after harvesting has finished for a set of plants, and bundle them up and feed the leftover roots to the fish?

Anybody doing this?

Just curious, as it seems like a good idea.

If you are doing this, any idea what nutritional value they provide? or if the fish like them?

later,

jeff c

I realize this is 5.5 years later. I think that is a great question and I am curious of the same. Any follow up?

Find out what types of algae, and other plant materials the eat in the wild.

I, know they like algae.

Hmm, I feed my Tilapia duckweed but I never considered the roots. I'm about to remove some plants so I'll give it a try.

Good idea, I bet they'll eat the roots, maybe not on all plants but on some. Nutritional value probably varies with the plant just like potatoes vs carrots ... so probably can't get a number on that.

of course you can do this, can also hang the leaves of the plant (cauliflower leaves, etc) into the tank for them to eat, people do it with silver perch too as they are omnivores too.

Yes you can give them the roots to eat but only as n supplement feed. Plant roots don't contain anough protein to sustain fish health and growth. Same as duckweed. Yes it does have a protein count between 25 to 40 but that's in the dry state. Fresh duckweed have about 1 to 3 percent protein.

Something to keep in mind, heavy metals are often collected in the root system. Depending on what you are adding to your system, you might not want to eat the roots or allows your fish to eat them.

Actually duckweed can sustain some types of fish although it's usually used as a supplement. Read just above table 5 and you'll see that it can be fed fresh duckweed (not dried) and do very well with scavenging the rest of their needs - http://www.fao.org/ag/aga/agap/frg/LRRD/LRRD7/1/3.HTM.

Like I said it's a good supplement but can't be the only feed. I have been experimenting with silkworms to try and get the same or definitely more protien value then commercial fish feed due to the GMO soy available and its amazing how good it works. But yes I agree that you can feed it to some fish. In general fish needs more nutrients then eating only duck weed.

lol lets set this out straight.

most omnivore fish will survive and grow just fine on a mostly plant diet, which can be all duckweed, however in an AP system or if any intensive growth is needed, its best to stay away from such foods as they dont add much to the system - is a good method to recycle nutrients that might otherwise escape the system from emptying RFFs, throwing unused plant matter out, etc though.

I agree.

I'm raising tilapia in a basement system in Massachusetts.

My tilapia happily eat free floating duck weed after meals, like dessert. I have both cress and mint in floating pots in the fish tank and they eat the roots and overhanging greens at will. I occasionally have to return a smaller tilapia to the tank after it gets stuck in the cress floaters.

Also give them "fresh" pond water from the outdoor pond after its warmed up for a week and new pond wigglers have hatched for added protein. They go crazy.

As main food, I use an auto freeder serving up measured Purina pellets.