My First Day with Aquaponic Lobster Breeding

Today marks the beginning of my discovery of aquaponic project at home 🌱🦞

I’m buzzing with excitement. The idea itself is fascinating - raising aquatic animals in an aquaculture system while recycling their waste to nourish plants in a hydroponic setup. It’s a beautiful cycle where nothing goes to waste, and everything supports each other.

Before this, I only knew about hydroponics. Aquaponics was a completely new discovery for me. In essence, it’s the marriage of aquaculture and hydroponics:

• Aquatic animals produce waste, which becomes nutrients for the plants.
• The plants act as natural filters, purifying the water so the animals can thrive.
• The system runs continuously, saving water and eliminating the need for fertilizers or pesticides.

It’s sustainable, efficient, and organic—a little ecosystem right at home.

How I Discovered Aquaponic Lobsters

My curiosity was first sparked when I saw a television advertisement for the government’s National Blue Ocean Strategy (NBOS) Day, held on 23–24 May 2015 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. The idea of breeding freshwater lobsters at home instantly caught my attention. I couldn’t stop wondering how such a system could also benefit my plants.

At the exhibition, I met Mr. Effendy Halily, the man behind this innovative concept. He started his aquaponic lobster project back in 2011 and has already won two innovation awards for it. His system, called Container Lobster at Work (CLAW), is brilliantly simple—using ordinary storage boxes instead of expensive equipment. Cost-effective, practical, and inspiring!

Taking the Leap

After learning more from Mr. Effendy, I decided to attend his training in Alor Gajah. By the end of it, I had purchased a starter kit and was ready to dive into this new adventure.

What excites me most is the dual benefit: I can breed lobsters at home while also growing vegetables in the same system. And yes, I’m already imagining the day when I can cook my very own home-bred lobsters for dinner!

This is the simple aquaponic setup for breeding lobsters

Looking Forward

This is my very first aquaponic project, and I know there’s still so much to learn - about maintaining the system, caring for the lobsters, and nurturing the plants. But that’s the beauty of it: every day will bring new lessons and discoveries.

For now, I’m simply thrilled to have taken the first step. Here’s to growing, learning, and enjoying the journey - one lobster and one spinach leaf at a time. 🌿🦞✨