Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Cumulative Effects of Tilapia

In the second year of AT (After the first Tilapia stocking), I began to notice decreased early season algae and also the need for early season algae control with chemicals. The third year of AT continued that trend. This year, I am completely chemical free for the first time in several years since the fertilizer disaster....achieving one of the prime objectives of my personal pond management approach.

I wonder if others have similar observations...a lot of variables involved of course, but I see a definite trend toward less and less pre-season algae and need for chemicals. Why would I care? More on that in another paragraph.

Another observation I've made in successive years of AT, is that my BG populations have improved in every pond every succeeding year.

Ok, what is the significance of all this in addition to the benefits of reduced chemical dependence and increased BG forage?

This tells me I can reduce stocking rates of Tilapia each year and still get their full benefits. That is some cost savings, but the real savings may come from reducing the stocking rate to where it can be easily sustained by overwintering a few fish. Thereby, becoming a completely self sustaining chemical free pond system...something I strive for.

This year, I reduced stocking rates in one pond to 2 pounds per acre and will observe results. Next year, I plan to reduce to two or three pounds per acre in all ponds and measure/observe results. If I can get my needs down to well under 20 pounds total for all the ponds, I believe I can easily overwinter that many and achieve the self sustaining goal that I strive for.

I hope I've explained this observation and resulting hypothesis so you can see where I'm trying to go with this...it may not work, but then again it may and may result in a completely independent and self-sustaining system.

Any of you who have had Tilapia more than a couple of years see anything similar? Or is this just more mad scientist thinking?

ML,

How are you monitoring/determining the status of your BG population?

gator

ML:

I assume what is happening is that as the Tilapia send your ponds into Winter with a smaller amount of FA remaining, there is a smaller amount of FA available in the Spring to spread and grow. Is this what you think is occurring?

Theo,

Yes, I do. As you know, algae actually starts on the bottom of the pond in relatively shallow water....the Tilapia really clean that up. As years go by there is simply less and less for them to eat.

What do you think of the hypothesis? Is it a logical possibility that one could get the stocking rate way down to where a small amount of overwintered fish will keep things in balance?

Gator, Several ways. Most important is fishing.
Carefully observing the sizes, especially the distribution of sizes (relatively uniform distribution of sizes with top end large fish 10 inches or above), the numbers (I like to use a ten cast measurement method and count one fish as 10 points and a hit as 5 points), and the relative health of the BG. In addition, observing the numbers of fry in the ponds, combined with occasional trapping also provides indicator data. The numbers of beds are also a good indicator although it seems there are always tons of them. Last, but certainly not least, are the predator fish....how their relative weights are doing from year to year in each pond. I'm not as disciplined about recording data as I should be and rely on my memory far too much but overall I think I have a good feel for the BG population in each pond. Each year with Tilapia, indicators all say increased BG populations of both native BG and CNBG in every pond. I feel when that levels out, I've reached the point where I can reduce the Tilapia stocking numbers without adverse effects. I'm guessing that this year that will be the case. It certainly is as far as algae is concerned.

None of this is scientific, of course, and I may be full of beans, but I'm in pursuit of a self sustaining, no chemical, low management approach to ponds...an approach which will enable me to have more ponds for less work and less money and achieve fishing objectives related to C&R predator fishing. Its a tall order, but a tremendously fun journey.

Hey Guys what type of Talapia are you putting in your lakes? I have been told to put Mozambique
Talapia in because they reproduce but can't find any in Southern Indiana. The guy in Flordia says he can't send them to Indiana can only send them to Louisville Ky. and I have to drive 140 miles one way to get them and he doesn't guarantee them to arrive alive. Can you put sterile ones in?

Definitely a possibility, and it seems logical to me, Captain.

IF this hypothesis is correct, it will be shown by the trend continuing - less FA, therefore less for Tilapia to eat, therefore fewer Tilipa need bothered to be stocked. I suspect another two or three iterations (years) showing a continuation will be sufficient to draw a conclusion.

Of course, you could have a freak weather year that screws everything up, or we could be completely wrong about the causes and effects involved. I look forward to hearing about it as you find out.

JAM- The great thing about Mozambique Tilapia is they don't need to be sterile. They reproduce like crazy, eat lots of vegetation, and when the winter comes and temperatures reach 55 degrees the predator fish in your pond have a feast as they slow down and completely die off. You must restock every spring.

Meadowlark I'm sorry I missed what happened when you fertilized. Will you please tell me again because I just bought some fertilizer?

Where do you guys get the Tilapia ?

James,

It isn't a pretty story, but you asked, so...

Several years back, I had a small pond weed problem and asked what I should do about it. The recommendation was to fertilize the pond in early spring to get a better bloom and shade out the pond weed to eliminate it.

It was a complete disaster. The pond weed exploded with growth, algae popped up everywhere, completely taking over the pond...no amount of grass carp or even chemicals could get it in check for a couple of years. Finally, the nutrients diminished with rain events over several years, aeration was added to the pond, and chemicals and grass carp were able to get on top of it. This year I am chemical free and weeds are in control for the first time since the fertilizer event.

Now, if you read the Texas A&M and SRC publications, they clearly state DO NOT Fertilize if you have pre-existing weeds. They say...Get the weeds under control first and then you can think about fertilizing. Last month's issue of Southern Ponds said the same thing.

This is a controversial subject and I'm not interested in revisiting those past discussions. I'm simply responding to your question. You've probably seen many posts on it in the past. My story isn't necessarily what everyone will experience or even anyone...but I wouldn't want anyone to go through what I went through with this approach.

Thanks! I think if I do fertilize it will be at a much lower level than recommended.

James, if you fertilize, in our part of the world, bet on rain.

My pond is about 2 years old this Fall and everything was going good until this year I have lots of the green algae. I added 8 tons of limestone this year as was recommended. Our pond is a mess on the bottom and large chunks floating. I have raked off some and I am thinking on adding hay to remove this algae. Waiting for someone to tell me their ideas on this subject. I still have Katrina damage so I am very busy to say the least. I can not find barley straw and I do desire to improve my pond. I am reading everything possible to correct this problem. Ideas please. thanks

I have noticed similar results also. All base forage populations have dramatically improved with the introduction of Tilapia. Still interested in your results this year though.

Deaner, as I recall, the Biologists on the Miss. Fishing website recommended 6 bales of OLD hay per acre.