I raise a small amount of tilapia for myself and a couple friends. I have bought all of mine from Lakeway. They are a great company but believe what they say. They make no excuses about it. The pond grade are inferior. They are what is left over after they sort out the fastest growing males for food production. I have had the best luck with unsorted fry. I start them in October and by May I have males that are over a pound and tons of females that are about 1/2 pound. This past year I tried the pond grade and was left with tons of 2-3 inch fish that were probably just bass food. I have no doubt Rex can guide you the best direction but that is my experience. Thanks