To my knowledge not a lot is known about how well HSB will control tilapia. I suspect that if enough HSB are present and tilapia are low enough density the HSB will definitely control tilapia. I am not sure why you think there is a pressing need to control the recruitment of tilapia. Lots of small TP will provide abundant food to grow HSB quickly. Winter in north TX will eliminate the entire TP population each year. Tilapia at 6"(mostly males) for me this summer grew from Jun 01 to Oct 1 (120days) to 13" that produced large fillets.
In Ohio this summer I grew HSB from 5" to 11" from Jun 1 to Oct 15 (135days 1.12mm/day). In TX you should be able to get the them to 13-14" in one year.
A 0.18 ac pond is small enough to easily and quickly renovate it when you want to change the fishery.
Last edited by Bill Cody; 10/20/19 07:41 PM.
