Pond Boss Forums AQUATIC VEGETATION Controlling unwanted plants Tilapia as a algae fighting tool

I've read about using Tilapia as an algae fighting tool. I live in south central Indiana and have a 1 acre pond. If my memory serves me they will die off every year, and the offspring of the stocked do most of the work. Again if my memory serves me. My question is, if the for-mentioned is correct, what is the process. When an what size is recommended to stock and what habitat is needed for them to be most successful. Any thoughts are appreciated.

Thank you

Hey Greg, I've been doing some research on this myself and it seems that the 4" size is as small as a guy really wants to start with and they can be introduced (Blue Tilapia) when water has a solid 60 deg ave temp-not surface temp.
I've found many suggested stocking densities and I think how bad your FA is has a lot to do with required number as well.
I've been told 10-15 per acre up to 100 per acre of the 4-6" size, so I split down the middle and am using 60 per acre which is an experiment on my part.

Snipe, how have they been working for you so far? Also, where did you get them and roughly what was the cost? I have been looking into getting them given my pond has been hit harder than years past.

I prefer the 4"-6" with the smaller ones often are females and those 5"-7" are the males. Obviously mixed sex produces lots of small ones that are the algae eating army when there are thousands of them. Each one can eat just so much algae so the more algae you have the more fish that are needed. Experience shows that the more you can trim down the algae before the tilapia arrive the better and quicker the clean up becomes.

Where do you guys buy your tilapia

I bought mine out of Ohio, I'll find the paperwork and get you a number.

Thank you fellas, im sure i will be going that route next spring. Id like to see that number too Snipe.

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