Aquaculture in Germany is dominated by conventional fish ponds. These ponds utilize a natural source of water for aquacultural purposes, which requires a special permit. Ponds are bodies of water that can be drained, unlike lakes, which cannot be emptied and re-filled. We distinguish between warm- and coldwater fish culture, depending on the kind of fish that is being reared in these ponds. In warmwater ponds (carp etc.), water is flowing at low rates and has a high temperature. These ponds are primarily used for cyprinidae in conjunction with compatible fish (tench, zander, catfish, etc.). Salmonid fish (including trout), on the other hand, prefer clear, cool, flowing water. As a result, coldwater ponds tend to be longer, have a higher flow rate, and are filled with clear, cold water. Both types of ponds use naturally occurring water for breeding fish, and the water is returned to nature (i.e., a creek or river) after passing through the pond. Unlike in conventional ponds, the water used in so-called integrated recycling systems is purified in special filters for re-use. As a result, these systems require only a fraction of the water used in conventional ponds. However, these systems require heat and electrical power for rearing fish and water purification. They are used for catfish, sturgeon, and eels, as well as for prawns.

In 2015, the number of farms that relied primarily on producing fish in aquacultures was approximately 3,600, with most farms operating warmwater ponds (2,100), followed by coldwater farms (1,450), and only 50 integrated recycling systems.

Germany  only plays a minor role in European and international markets. In 2015, German aquaculture produced 21,000 tons of fish, but could not even come close to meeting the national demand for fish and seafood.  The production of carp and trout in Germany has not increased in years; only the yield from integrated recycling systems is steadily growing.

Fish farming is an important part of German culture, and especially carp farming has a long-standing tradition here. It contributes to the typical landscape of several regions and forms a mainstay of our culinary tradition

In theNorth sea areas of Shleswig holstein, there is an environmental disasterwith Pacific oysters preyingon traditional uropeanones.In recent years there have been efforts to encourage the eating of Pacific oysters