Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Evaluating and adjusting fish populations Tilipia..HB Blue Gill, and Channel Cats

I have a feeding ring out. I am feeding ever day.. Will this keep my Tiliapia from eating my algae?.. I have been using Tilipia for 4 yrs, but I have not had a Feeding program.. Thanks

Hi Looptech,
I have had them for a little over two years and I have fed them almost every day. They are eating machines, I have little or no algae. The fish are all fat. Water plants are all skinny.

I would expect some decrease in consumption of other stuff if they are fed. IIRC ML stocks heavier on Tilapia in his fed ponds. But they're still gonna eat algae.

LoopTech,

In my experience, regular artificial feeding reduces Tilapia effectiveness on algae control by about 50%. However, I've also seen a cumulative effect from Tilapia such that after several years of stocking, the amount of pre-season algae is less each year. Hence, I can stock at a lower rate in my artificially fed pond after several years than I otherwise could have for effective algae control.

Supporting data from SRAC: "In heavily fed ponds with little or no water exhange, natural food organisms may provide one-third or more
of total nutrients" Reversed, this means to me that a Tilapia will eat up to 66% more algae (natural foods) in the absense of artificial feeding which tends to match my experience.

Thanks Folks.. I will continue my feeding..This is my 3rd year with Tilapia in this pond, and I have 50 % less pre-season algae, than the 1st year with them..