Is it necessary to purge the tilapia? We never purge CC or BG.
Just wondering, where they eat lots of algae, if the purge process is needed or just optional to make sure they taste the best. They taste ok without purging?
No, it's not necessary, but easily done. The Tilapia flesh is bland and will take on the "seasonings" put on it. Unfortunately, Tilapia intestinal fluids, with foods present and being digested, are extremely acidic. The slightest rupture of an intestine while cleaning will easily let that acid strongly "season" the flesh.
The best way to purge is putting the Tilapia in 5 gallon, net covered buckets with a slow flow of well water for 3 days or till no waste is seen in the water. Tilapia produce an unusually strong digestive acid with a pH ~1. Tilapia have only have a small, acid pumping bulb that acts as a stomach. Food is digested in a unusually long intestinal tract with the overly strong acids and enzymes that allows the Tilapia break down strong protein barriers from nearly anything eaten.
The added benefit of using well water to purge, is the water temperature is often 58-60 degrees, which greatly slows metabolism and acid production.
