Originally Posted By: Rainman
Originally Posted By: Cecil Baird1
Originally Posted By: esshup
I have tested using different stocking rates of Tilapia in a pond, and have seen no visible results until I hit the tipping point of 40# per surface acre.


Scott,

Are these fully reproducing tilapia, partially reproducing (hybrids), or not reproducing? Seems that would make a difference on the stocking rate wouldn't it?


Partially reproducing hybrids?

Cecil, I discovered that 40 pound rate several years ago for the more northern climates and shorter growing season. I also tried stocking by numbers of fish, smaller, larger and various pounds per acre.....40# got the job done, consistently. Less pounds, was a crap shoot.

I only stock the pure strain blues...the only known pure out there...The hybrid blues others supply, if not sex reversed, will control algae at the same stocking rates, but die at a warmer temp (around 52*)


Gottcha. I digress to your superior knowledge and experience with tilapia! My only experience is rearing them in tanks.

As far as my statement on "partially reproducing tilapia," I bought some a few years ago from a local fish farm that were hybrids but they were supposed to reproduce, albeit at a lesser rate than pure strain. Might not have been true but that is what I was told.

If pigs could fly bacon would be harder to come by and there would be a lot of damaged trees.