The temps need to be above 68 degrees and Ideally above 72. Small fry will not survive in good numbers below 68" degrees. This is true of blue and nile too. They will not spawn below 68 degrees either. The goal is production of brood within the main bow at standing weights that may otherwise by cost prohibitive. I would think that water temps would be in appropriate ranges in Tennessee by the middle of May. A person could get a 15 to 30 day head start in a small green house and then release fry in in the 5/8 to 1" length to forage pond. If the middle of May would be OK, by the middle of August the females fry are able to reproduce and some would with the Males already in the main bow. Regardless temperature tolerance, the Moz. will produce more offspring than blues or niles due to higher fecundity and a greater weight of them will be accessible to LMB due to their early maturity. IMHO, temperature tolerance should not be a consideration when production of forage is the goal. Having them live longer or grow larger isn't the goal ... reproduction and forage at optimum sizes is the goal.
