Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Types of fish to choose tilapia stocking

when is the best time to stock tilapia in ponds in southeast kentucky ? 40744 zip code Corbin, KY

Whenever water temps are consistently over 60�F.

Depends entirely on the tilapia species...I stock my Pure Blues once the water temp has been 62 or higher, measured at a 4' depth for 4 days...all other species/hybrids...70 degrees minimum or else there will be heavy predation/infection losses, especially if a strong cold front comes through after stocked.

Because of the crazy winter, I am wanting water temps at 65 for 4 days at a 4-5' depth, just in case.

Can you stock talapia in Michigan?

Tilapia are not an approved species in Michigan. That said, I know that some people stock them for algae control.

No tilapia, no hybrid striped bass, no triploid grass carp. I guess reproduction and survival is a concern in Michigan!

Do they get them at pet shops?

No, tilapia grow way too fast for pet shops.

There are several farms raising Tilapia in Michigan. Probably all closed systems.

Do you mean by closed, they will not sell any?

Closed as in recycle systems not attached to outdoor waters.

I was just looking and most of them seem to be Aquaponics facilities.

Tilapia are legal in MI. Have been for quite some time. At least 12-13 years since I have been occasionally checking in on what the heck the State is up to.

Here is an approved species list for Michigan: Approved Species Michigan

Just a note about the guy in northern Indiana (Goshen) who is raising tilapia. With all due respect, after talking to him about getting some to eat FA in our pond he is not really interested in selling live fish. He sells meat. Pulling out twenty 4"-6" fish (what we need) is too much work for him. He offered to sell me 1-1/2 lb tilapia at $7.50/lb....no guarantee, bring my own hauling tank, etc.

I hope he does great business selling tilapia to restaurants...but I won't be buying anything from him.

That is some expensive eats right there, better keep buying my tilapia from Aldi's.

In all fairness Drago, when you pull a few fish out of a tank it stresses the rest of them. I can see where it would have to be a substantial sale to make it worth while. These guys harvest several thousand pounds at a time on a weekly basis.

John's also having a hard time meeting demand so he is selling a lot of fish for the restaurant business. John's very business minded but you have to be in the aquaculture food supply business to survive. A lot of people have gone under.

Drogo...it is all about the fish and what the value is to you as well as the suppliers. My Pure strain blue tilapia are considerably more than $7.50/lb and a persons time also has value along with the fuel, repairs, upkeep, etc...and we hope to make a small profit after all the bills are paid. The chemicals to control algae will cost virtually the same as a proven tilapia, but not produce anywhere near the same final results.

I have a $300 minimum purchase that is just above my "break even" point on most deliveries. If raising and selling Tilapia were easy, everyone would do it.

There is also FAR more involved than stocking "any tilapia"..They are no where near the same with regards to genetics purity, male/female ratios and many other considerations come into play before you will achieve the results hoped for.

What good is a $7/lb fish or a $30/lb fish if it does not produce the results desired? Mine produce the results.