In order to study the effects of different water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica) floating bed coverage ratios in aquaponic systems on the feeding rate and growth performance of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), four experimental groups were designed: a control group with 0% coverage (C0), and three aquaponic groups with 20% (C2), 30% (C3), and 40% (C4) coverage ratios. Each group contained three replicates. Feeding rates were calculated every 7 days. After 35 days of rearing, growth indices and serum antioxidant parameters were measured. Results showed no significant differences in feeding rates among groups during the 7th days and 14th days (P>0.05). On the 21st days, aquaponic groups exhibited significantly higher feeding rates than the control (P<0.05). On the 28th and 35th days, feeding rates followed the order C4 > C3 > C2 > C0 (P<0.05). At the end of the experiment, all performance indicators in the aquaponic groups surpassed those of the control group,and with the increase of the floating bed coverage rate, the weight gain rate and specific weight gain rate of tilapia in each group increased, the activities of serum antioxidant enzymes (CAT, GSH-PX) enhanced, the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) increased, and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) decreased. Considering the feeding rate and growth performance indicators of tilapia in each group, it can be concluded that the aquaponic group with a 40% floating bed coverage rate had the best rearing effect within the experimental range.