Originally Posted by esshup
IHMO, you didn't stock enough. Time will tell. Here, in Northern Indiana, I have found that ALL visible algae has to be killed 5-7 days pre or post stocking of Tilapia, and the best size Tilapia to stock are 4-9 per pound. If 40 pounds per surface acre isn't stocked, or the the algae isn't killed (removed like Bill said is best) then it's like they weren't stocked at all.

Don't think "Oh, I don't have to kill it, I'll just stock more per acre." Bob Lusk commented that they stocked 100#/acre without killing the algae and they didn't do anything, and I duplicated that one year with the same results.

Cutrine Plus liquid for water <24" deep, Cutrine Plus granules for deeper water is what I recommend to all our customers. Follow application instructions on the container or bag.

Stocking 1#+ adults doesn't get the results that stocking smaller fish do, and if the Tilapia are food grade and not 50/50 male/female then you will not see the algae control either. The 90-10 food grade sex mix really doesn't work well at all.

We also got bit one year by stocking the Tilapia in water that was in the low 60°F range. A prolonged cold front rolled in, water temps dropped to the low 50's and we replaced a LOT of dead Tilapia. Now we won't stock Tilapia until water temps at 2' water depth are 70°F.


I'm treating with Cutrine Plus, from what I've read due to the volume of FA that I have I don't want to treat the whole 2 acres because it may cause oxygen depletion and a fish kill. What percentage should I treat and at what intervals should I treat it.

Also considering adding pond dye after the BG move off the beds since I have heard it can inhibit spawning. Would the dye also have the potential to cause a fish kill due to the dying FA?

Last edited by Learninboutfish; 05/14/25 02:04 PM.
2 Acre, Completed July 2022, CC,BG, Sept. 2022, LMB June 2023, GSF, YBH invasion in 2022. BG, CNBG, RES, 2025, TP seasonal.