Freshwater fish with largest bioload?

A

aquafisicious

AC Members
Feb 19, 2012
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I'm looking for fishes with the largest bioload to size ratio or small fishes that can co-exist together in tight groups and small spaces. I'm looking to start a small 5 gallon aquaponics system to test substrates and methods before moving on to a larger setup. If I can find a species that is small and I can have a lot in a small space to start with would be awesome. I'm a nano guy so if I can stick to 1" fish I would. However, larger fishes would be considered for future setups if they are too large for a 5 gallon setup since I do plan on moving to a large setup. I know goldfishes produce a lot of bioload but I want to try something different. I'm trying to make this as sustainable and green as possible so this will be outside for the summer. I live in the upper midwest, Minnesota area so the weather is cool in the spring and fall but hot and humid in the middle of the summer, kind of.

Some fishes I have considered are:
Guppies/endlers
Chili rasboras
Goldfish (don't know which one though, and preferably other fishes)
One of the tiny pygmy corydoras

So again, I'm looking at suggestions of possible fishes for a small aquaponics setup outside in MN.

Thanks.
 
Goldfish are not suited for a 5 gallon tank.

Snails would be your best bet for what you are trying to do. Feed them lots of algae wafers, and they should poop non stop for you.
 
Snails. Yes, you can have a ton of chilis, but they don't produce much waste. Ditto for the other small fish--they just don't make much waste.
 
I would wonder about something like a large number of blackworms having a larger bioload... not sure there are any fish that would produce something similar, at least assuming that you're only considering nitrogen compounds being the bioload.
 
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