Originally posted by Meadowlark:
As I've mentioned previously, I'm running an experiment this year in one pond with a significantly reduced stocking rate...stocking at 2 to 3 pounds per acre vs 10 to 15 pounds per acre in other ponds.
ML, if you recall, last year I ran a tilapia “experiment” based on your recommended 5 lbs/acre stocking rate, and it was a miserable failure. Worse FA problem I’ve ever seen. I was reluctant to post results on the forum because I did not want to discourage others from trying tilapia, but I did report results to you by PM.
This year, based on professional advise, we stocked 12 lbs tilapia/acre, after considering water quality variables, such as early spring muddy water from pond renovation and declining water level due to drought conditions,
I am pleased to report very successful results with this year’s tilapia program.
Like Bill Cody says “it all depends”.
Ps: Water quality variables will control how well predators utilize forage. In particular clear vs. turbid water.
No matter how good the forage base is, if the predator cannot see the prey – skinny predators
