Stocking and feeding for pond tilapia.
2 Answers
Stocking density for tilapia depends on whether you farm in a normal pond with aeration, an intensive system or biofloc, so it ranges widely and must match your aeration and water exchange. Overstocking without enough aeration causes low oxygen and slow growth, so stay within what your system supports. Tilapia is an efficient feeder and takes floating pelleted feed well, and feeding good quality pellets to satiation a couple of times a day, without overfeeding, gives a feed conversion ratio that is usually favourable compared with many other fish. Keep water quality good and avoid wasting feed, since uneaten feed fouls the water. Get the right density and feeding schedule for your specific system from your state Fisheries department or an experienced tilapia farmer.
Tilapia eats well and converts feed nicely, but I learned not to overstock without enough aeration. Oxygen crashes early morning hurt growth. Floating pellets let me see how much they actually eat.