Aquaponics is a symbiotic integration of two mature disciplines: aquaculture and hydroponics. This technical paper discusses the three groups of living organisms (bacteria, plants and fish) that make up the aquaponic ecosystem. It presents management strategies and troubleshooting practices, and specifically highlights the advantages and disadvantages of this method of food production. This publication discusses the main theoretical concepts, including: the nitrogen cycle, the role of bacteria, balancing an aquaponic unit. It considers water quality; unit design; plant and fish production; and a comprehensive guide to a small-scale aquaponic unit.

Aquaponics is an integrated approach to Efficient Resource Use. In addition to this manual, Indonesia, with support from FAO and the South-South Cooperation team, will conduct a regional aquaponic technical training workshop in Indonesia at the end of 2015. Separately, FAO will convene an aquaponic training workshop for countries in the Near East and North Africa region, supported by the translation of this document into Arabic. Limited English hard-copies are available upon request, and but the manual can always be downloaded from the following web link: - http://www.fao.org/3/a-i4021e/index.html