What fish work best in a aquaponics set up?

Many different kinds of fish work well. For small growers, and possibly large as well, one of the most popular species is tilapia. Tilapia are not perfect, because they need to be kept a little warm, but they are very hardy otherwise, they can be bred easily, and they grow very fast.

Some people grow goldfish in aquaponics systems. Most often these people are not interested in eating the fish, but keep them for the nutrients they put into the water. Goldfish are very hardy, and can take very cold water, even water that is icing over. They also breed rather easily.

Other fish work as well. I know people who keep minnows, which can be used for bait. I know people who have eaten them. Many of them are very like goldfish in their care.

I would definitely not start with trout, which require a lot of high-protein food and will not tolerate warm water. Commercial growers might raise tilapia in the summer and trout in the winter.