Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Corrective stocking Talapia Question

I know that the only subspecies of Talapia you can stock "legally" in Tx. is the Mozambique variety. I just came across a really cool fish food mrkt. supplier in Conroe. They have some huge Talapia, mainly for eating, but I do not know what subspecies they are. Are there any subspecies of Talapia that can make the winter here in Tx.? I am wondering if some of the other subspecies, despite being illegal, might be able to do well here in the winter. Wonder if they spawn at the same rates as the Mozambique variety?

There are at least 47 different ones, I have nile, but there are red, blue and mixes. Most live by the same rules (temps and spawning) as the Mozambique. The big ones you speak of could well be Mozambique, just older. My largest are 7 pounds an their parents are two years old.

Take a look at this great feature of FishBase -- pictures.

http://www.fishbase.org/ComNames/ComName...25tilapia%25%27

Just got the OK to stock Tilapia. Had to do some calling around to see if it was OK and its fine, private pond etc.

The reason I want them if to try to help with the FA alge, The added forage I wont complain about either.

I found a guy about 2 hours from here with Blue Tilapia. He has fish that are 5 to 10 inches. There not cheap but its really the going rate for them here in NC.

My pond is just under 3/4 A, How many Tilapia would be a good number to put in, and how should I try to sex them more females etc?

I am wondering if when the adults I put in have babys if they would get big enough to spawn before they die off in the winter.

stclAG,

Be sure to ask if the fish have been treated to be uni-sex. Most all of the Tilapia sold alive in Houston area stores like Fiesta will not reproduce in your ponds thus costing you a significant benefit of Tilapia.

ML is right on.
Live tilapia sold at Fiesta in our area are sterile.

The fish from this farm will breed. He has 2 sizes 10-14 inches which are like 7-8 bucks and he has 6 inches which are 4 bucks. I have bass in the pond, nothing bigger then 2 1/2 pounds so I dont know which ones or how many to get. I am leaning twards maybe 2 female and 1 male of the bigger ones and like a dozen of the smaller ones. He said the small ones are ready to spawn as soon as the temps reach a few degrees warmer. I do hope they boost the forage but my main goal is they help with this FA alge.