Consumption of spicy peppers in the U.S. has increased 133% over the past 40 years, with domestic production declining by 50% over the same period; b eing the principal causes: trade agreements, labor availability, new crop introduction and significant water issues in the main chili producer states like New Mexico and California. This leads to the necessity to improve the water usage and enhance pepper quality regarding capsaicin concentration, the main alkaloid responsible for the spicy sensation in hot peppers. This compound can represent up to 1% of dry weight i s more concentrated during periods of drought stress. As in most aquaponics systems there i s a constant water supply , it is hypothesized that this can lead to poor concentration of this compound. The aim of this study was to determine whether the concentration of capsaicin varies within fruits of Early jalapeño peppers subjected to different irrigation periods in a media-based aquaponic system. The study took place between the months of September and December in the Kentucky State University aquaculture facility greenhouse . The system was composed of 250-gal fish tank, a 60-gal sump , two 30-gal biofilters and 9 media-based troughs . Additionally, four complementary LED lights (Neosol DS) were placed at an average PAR of 300 PPFD for a period of twelve hours every day . Nutrients were provided by Koi fish, daily fed 190 g of 36% protein Rangen feed. Initial individual average weight was 250g w ith a total stock density of 12.35 kg/m3 . This study evaluated three different drought periods 2h, 4h and 6h, each with three replicates and three early jalapeño plants per replicate. F ruits were harvested at botanical maturity and classified into nine combined samples (one per replicate ). Treatments were compared based on total plant biomass (g), quantity and weight of peppers (g), and concentration of capsaicin. The 2-hour t reatment showed significant difference s in height and number of fruits compared to all other treatments, and only in number of flowers between 6-hour treatment. All parameters didn’t show statistics differences between 4-hour and 6-hour treatment. Results regarding nutritional analysis and root to shoot ratio will be shown at the presentation.