If it is any consolation, IMO practically all 'farm' pond raised tilapia will be from much better water quality than commercially available tilapia. Some of the tilapia from the 'store' have had an off flavor but never any from local ponds including those that Rainman has hauled.
Very True. Stay away from the imported tilpia as you have no idea the conditions they were raised in. No standards like we have here. A fish farmer I know said he visited Thailand and will never eat another tilapia from that country again. Said he was appalled by the condition of the ponds.
The tilapia I have raised in my aquaponics system are some of the best fish I have ever eaten. Not sure if the plants consuming the nitrates has anything to do with it.
OTOH I doubt you'll get aftertaste issues in RAS raised tilapia raised here in the states. They typically purge them for a few days before slaughter.
