Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Tilapia

Rex,

I think I must have at least one of these then, as it has the blotches on it as well. I want to get it out of my large tank outside and move it to my daughter�s aquarium, but they are pretty hard to catch, and I do not want to drain my tank yet.

What hybrids make this coloration?

Plus I thought you only bred blues. What all types of Tilapia do you raise?

Not sure why it was mixed in with my fish either, at first I thought it was a koi.

It is a Hybridized, genetically defective fish of unknown mixed species origins Mr. Hello.

Now it is essentially a T. Mozambicus with a genetic defect that retains carotine for the coloring,,,The black and white splotches are caused by who knows what. The easiest to relate to explanation is that thr Red Tilapia is like an Albino Catfish...once the defective gene became prevelant, it could be bred for the color.

It was originally mass-bred for nefarious reasons, as a Red Snapper fillet because the flesh looks and tastes nearly identical when marinated properly. The freswater tilapia fillet was sold fraudulantly as the very expensive Red Snapper Fillet for many years unnoticed. Now it is openly sold as Cherry Snapper and many people still believe it is the Red Snapper. Most frauldulant fish on the market originated from the Hawaiian Islands.

The Red (or local version of it's name) grows slowly....about 2 years to a common harvest weight of 2 pounds.

Mr Hello, lower your water to no more than a few inches if you ever hope to reduce both yours and the fish' stress levels while trying to net it.

Those turds can jump even with a few inches of water!

Rex, I've seen some of them that color in my pond and they're a good 12" long now.

Tilapia are good eating in restaurants but I was wondering has anyone eat one that has been feeding on Algae and if they taste OK?

They will taste like the algae.

An explanation of taste I got several years ago. I don't remember the origin but it was probably Dr. Mark when he was with Purina.

Commercially raised fish are fed a very bland diet so they are essentially tasteless when processed. It was found that consumers like the idea of eating fish but don't like the taste. When cooked and served the consumer can use tartar sauce, lemon or whatever they like to add to or alter the taste.

Rex,

What would you recomend I use to clean my water (chloramine) when I fill it back up.

Right now it is full of rain water when we had rain, but the levels are dropping and I need to add more, or may even need to drain and exchange to help with nitrites.

I have not had much luck around here finding what I need, but then again they may not understand what I am looking for.

Please let me know.

Thanks

I suspected as much. I don't fish my pond but I caught a 5 lb channel cat out of it and it wasn't fit to eat.

Tilapia are one of the few fish that do not retain flavors of the foods they eat commonly. For the best flavor, keep tilapia alive in clean, clear water, preferably well water, do not feed, and they will taste great