Unlike the main constraints of conventional coupled aquaponics systems, decoupled systems allow aquaculture and hydroponic systems to be operated in separate loops where nutrients are carried in a single direction. Decoupled configurations help to mitigate the pH compromise that can restrict the bioavailability of nutrients for plants, enable targeted fertilizer supplementation while keeping fish exposed to no chemicals and provide biosecurity benefits through isolated disease management. However, decoupled systems require greater capital investment, more complex infrastructure and advanced technical management and they interrupt reciprocal microbial exchange between fish and plant components. Some potential research areas for the future involve implementation of sludge remineralization for nutrient recovery, advanced water conservation technologies like atmospheric water harvesting and incorporation of IoT and AI for automation and water precision control. Systematic standardization and ongoing innovations suggest that decoupled aquaponics may provide a viable, resource-efficient platform for multifunctional and sustainable fish-crop production systems in a variety of agro-climatic conditions and, interestingly, be scaled up to support commercial applications.
Varman, V.M., Aanand, S., Maiti, S., Nathina, P., 2026. Decoupled aquaponics systems: Advancing sustainable fish and vegetable production. Biotica Research Today 8(9), 157-160.
Aquaponics, Decoupled aquaponics system, Filtration, Hydroponics, Nutrients
Körner, O., Bisbis, M.B., Baganz, G.F.M., Baganz, D., Staaks, G.B.O., Monsees, H., Goddek, S., Keesman, K.J., 2021. Environmental impact assessment of local decoupled multi-loop aquaponics in an urban context. Journal of Cleaner Production 313, 127735. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.127735
Lobanov, V., Monsees, H., Latrille, F., Pate, J., Joyce, A., 2026. Coupled vs. Decoupled aquaponics: Evidence, mechanisms and methodological gaps in the productivity hypothesis. Aquacultural Engineering 115, 102781. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaeng.2026.102781
Monsees, H., Kloas, W., Wuertz, S., 2017. Decoupled systems on trial: Eliminating bottlenecks to improve aquaponic processes. PloS one 12(9), e0183056. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0183056
Mourantian, A., Aslanidou, M., Mente, E., Katsoulas, N., Levizou, E., 2025. Capturing the physiological and growth dynamics of cucumber cultivated in coupled and decoupled aquaponic systems. Scientia Horticulturae 351, 114377. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2025.114377
Nath, M.K., Datta, H.S., 2022. Advances in Indian floriculture with focus on the North-East region. Research Biotica 4(3), 108-112. DOI: https://doi.org/10.54083/ResBio/4.3.2022/108-112
