Ok next spring I am going to go for it and stock some Tilapia in at least 4 ponds, some are ours and others are some friends etc.
We can use the 1 acre stocking method and I can either multiply or divide those numbers once we recalculate the surface area next spring.
My goal for each pond is different and need to know how many to stock based on the following:
Pond 1
Stocking them to feed on and clear the muck from an old pond no current fish population.
Pond 2
Stocking them to feed on and clear the muck from an old pond that has a few LMB and HBG.
Pond 3
Stocking them for algae and vegetation control (as well as forage), many fish present, GSF, HBG, LMB, CC.
Pond 4
Stocking them to grow out to transfer to other ponds or for food in the fall, no known fish population.
Please let me know what sizes are recommended for each and how many should be stocked.
Thanks
Here are my recommendations:
Pond 1, no predation expected, expect overpopulation and possible stunting of tilapia, stock 5-10 lbs per acre initially
Pond 2, expect predation on tilapia and larger growth potential, stock 10-15lbs per acre
Pond 3, expect an uphill battle to control FA with predators present, stock 30-50lbs per acre
Pond 4, stock 5-10lbs per acre
According to Dr. Joe Lock, a veteran Texas fisheries biologist who has extensive experience with tilapia around the world, Mozambiques are a better choice for forage production than nile and blue tilapia, due to the fact that they mature at a younger age and spawn more often. Will this trait have a profound effect on reproductive performance in northern ponds as well during a given growing season?
IMO, mozambiques may still be the best choice in northern ponds for forage production and algae control, but if you are looking to maximize size potential and life span, then the nile or blues are the better choice.
You also have to consider costs. Do the math.
