Originally posted by bobad:
ML, I think you have to count the eaten ones too, because that's mainly why you stock them to begin with.
Bobad,
Yes and thanks for your comment. In the context of that particular example, I was actually trying to address the EL remark about "solving world hunger".
In the "math" exercise that preceeded the world hunger and lost mind remarks, I assumed a range of 60 to 90% predation. It may very well be higher than 90% and, in fact, anecdotal evidence in my ponds suggest it is...but just as you say, that is the whole idea.
Maybe we need to re-look at the SRC paper. Regarding reproduction, "the female spawns in the nest (about two to four eggs per gram of brood
female)"
Further it states, "Mozambique tilapia may reach
sexual maturity in as little as 3 months of age, when they seldom weigh more than 2 to 4 ounces (60
to 100 grams)"
A 3 ounce Tilapia may produce over 200 fry in one spawn. Do the math folks, assume whatever you wish about those 200 fry and 3 months later give each of them 200 fry and so on. Pretty soon you are talking about real forage.
Ok, EWEST correctly points out that's in an aquaculture setting...the paper also says under adverse conditions they can spawn at as little as 2 ounces.
Cut the numbers in half or reduce by 3/4 or whatever for recreational ponds and I still maintain that Tilapia produce flat awesome forage....even a lost mind might find a sliver of wisdom occasionally...to paraphrase that old saying about a hog and an acorn.
