Benefits Of Using Fish Poop in Your Garden

By Guest Author Dr. Chamika Siriwardhana

Fish emulsion and fish poop are great organic fertilizers for your garden. They are high in essential nutrients and can help to promote root development. Additionally, fish emulsion and fish fertilizer are environmentally friendly ways to recycle fish waste. Additionally, fish emulsion is pretty easy to make at home (recipe below).

Are there nutrients in fish poop?

Yes. Since fish poop comes from various aquarium fish that eat a variety of different things, it contains a mix of the nutrients they’ve consumed. This includes calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen, which are all essential for plant growth. Fish poop contains several minerals as well, including sodium, magnesium, iron, and sulfur.

Removing fish poop from fish tanks is vital to keeping your fish tank clean and healthy. Detritus are harmful to your fish as they contain harmful nutrients. However, the same harmful nutrients can be beneficial to other uses. There are some benefits of fish poop that help us save money, time, and effort.

Is fish poop good for the fish tank?

Fish poop is NOT good for the fish tank, specifically for the tank inhabitants. Since detritus contains several nutrients and minerals, they release these same nutrients into the water as they decompose. This can cause an algae bloom, which can harm or even kill your fish. Further, if not decomposed, these nutrients react and release harmful nutrients like ammonia, nitrates, and nitrites, which are all toxic to fish.

Hence, you should remove the fish poop to maintain a healthy and clean fish tank as soon as possible. If your fish tank has live plants, the case is otherwise. We’ll explain why in a moment.

Use fish poop as a fertilizer for your plants

Fish poop can be used as an effective fertilizer for plants. The nutrients in fish excrement are perfect for plant growth, and using it as fertilizer can save you money. This also makes fish poop ideal for use in compost piles. The beneficial bacteria and nitrogen in fish excrement help break down organic matter, resulting in a richer final product.

How does fish poop benefit plants and fish in a fish tank?

If you grow aquatic plants in your fish tank, they require nutrients like ammonia, nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium to grow well. As your fish are already producing these nutrients through their waste, you don’t have to provide those externally. This way, you can maintain a healthy aquatic environment without having to worry about over-fertilizing your plants.

Growing plants will also help oxygenate the water in the tank. Therefore, fish benefit from their own poop by getting cleaner and better-oxygenated water through plants to live in.

What is “fish emulsion”?

Fish emulsion is a type of fish fertilizer that is made from fish parts, including the bones and skin. These products are high in nutrients and are ideal for use as a fertilizer. Fish emulsions can be found in most garden centers or online. They are easy to use and can be applied directly to the soil or mixed into water for use as a foliar spray.

Is fish poop the same as fish emulsion?

Yes, fish poop can be considered a fish emulsion. In fact, many commercial fish emulsions are made from fish parts that would otherwise be discarded.

Fish emulsions are a great way to fertilize your plants and can be used in both outdoor and indoor gardens. They are especially beneficial for plants that are sensitive to chemicals, and organic gardeners, as they provide a natural source of nutrients.

Benefits of fish emulsion

Many farmers and gardeners around the globe use fish emulsion and similar products for several reasons.

Fish emulsion is an organic fertilizer

Since fish emulsion is derived completely from fish wastes, it’s an organic fertilizer. This means that fish emulsion contains no harmful chemicals or toxins that can potentially damage your plants or your health.

Fish emulsion is a fast-acting fertilizer

Another benefit of fish emulsion is that due to its liquid state, it’s a fast-release organic fertilizer. This means that the nutrients are released quickly into the soil, providing immediate benefits to your plants.

Fish emulsion is a great source of nitrogen

Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for plant growth. It is responsible for the green color in leaves and helps plants to produce protein. Fish emulsion contains high nitrogen levels, making it an ideal fertilizer for plants.

Fish emulsion is a great source of other essential nutrients

In addition to nitrogen, fish emulsion is also a great source of other essential nutrients, such as phosphorous and potassium. These nutrients are essential for the growth of your plants and play a vital role in their overall health.

The fish emulsion also contains other essential trace elements for plant growth

In addition to the major nutrients, fish emulsion also contains other essential trace elements for plant growth. These trace elements include iron, manganese, calcium, and sodium. While these trace elements are only needed at minimal levels, they are crucial for plant growth and play an important part in your plants’ general health.

Fish emulsion is easy to use

Fish emulsion is very easy to use. You can apply it straight to the soil or mixed into water for use as a foliar spray or soak around the root zone. It is also reasonably priced, which makes it an excellent choice for budget gardeners.

NPK ratio of Fish Emulsion

Most fish emulsions are high in nutrients with an NPK ratio of 5-1-1. This means that the fertilizer contains 5% nitrogen, 1% phosphorus, and 1% potassium.  

NPK ratios are important because they help gardeners to choose the right organic fertilizer for their plants. For example, fertilizers with a higher nitrogen content are ideal for actively growing plants, such as vegetables and flowers. A fertilizer with a higher phosphorus content is ideal for plants that are in the process of flowering or fruit production. And a fertilizer with a higher potassium content is ideal for plants that are in the process of root development.

Here are some of the other nutrients found in fish emulsions:

• Nitrogen (N)
• Phosphorus (P2O5)
• Potassium (K2O)
• Calcium (Ca)
• Magnesium (Mg)
• Sulfur (S)
• Iron (Fe)
• Manganese (Mn)
• Zinc (Zn)
• Chlorine (Cl)

Disadvantages of fish emulsion

Like any other product with benefits, there are also some disadvantages of fish emulsion.

The strong smell

One of the most common complaints about fish emulsion is the strong smell, caused by the product’s high levels of fish oils and amino acids. Used outdoors, the odor fades quickly and causes few problems. But when used indoors, the strong smell can be unpleasant for some people and can also be a bit overwhelming.

The potential for the fish emulsion to burn plants

Another potential disadvantage of fish emulsion is its potential to “burn” plants. This is because the nutrients in fish emulsion are high in nitrogen and are released quickly into the soil. If you apply too much fish emulsion to your plants, it can cause them to become stressed and may even kill them. It is important to read the product label instructions carefully and only apply the recommended amount.

Fish emulsion can attract animals

Another potential disadvantage of fish emulsion is that it can attract animals, especially dogs and cats. If you have pets that you do not want near your garden, you may want to consider using another fertilizer.

How to make fish emulsion at home

Fish emulsion fertilizer is pretty easy to make at home. All you need is:

• 1 cup of fish waste (you can get this from a local fish market or seafood restaurant)
• 1 gallon of water
• 1 tablespoon of molasses
• 1 cup of sawdust
• A large bucket or container

Instructions:

1. Add the fish waste to the water and stir to combine.

2. Add the molasses and stir to combine.

3. Add the sawdust and stir to combine.

4. Let the fertilizer mixture sit for 24 hours.

5. After 24 hours, strain the mixture through a cheesecloth or coffee filter.

6. Collect the liquid fertilizer and store it in a cool, dark place.

7. To use, mix 1 cup of the liquid fertilizer with 1 gallon of water and apply it to your plants.

Additionally, if you have a fish tank at home, you can use the fish waste from your tank as fish fertilizer. This is an excellent way to recycle the waste from your fish and provide nutrients for your plants. 

Author’s bio: Dr. Chamika Siriwardhana is a Researcher in Water quality, Aquatic organisms, and Environmental chemistry. He is a passionate fish keeper, with 10 years of experience. With that experience he is managing the website life of fish and helping other aquarists to experience the joy of fish keeping.