Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Evaluating and adjusting fish populations Female Tilapia

I have stocked my 3 acre pond a number of times with Tilapia. The winters are mild & at least a few have wintered over.

I have had two males that have occupied the Southwest corner of the pond for the last 5 years. They now are quite good sized. Every summer they have established a territory & spawning bed. I watch them search & try to attract females.

I have stocked from the local hatchery an additional 600 tilapia in the last two years.

I have NEVER seen them with a female!

Is it likely that I only have those 2 males? All the stocked tilapia(3") were just fish food? It is an average pond/Bass/BG populations. Not a lot of structure, except weed beds along the shore.

Suggestions?

Yes very possible. In the food fish production of tilapia, females are not wanted as they are smaller and grow slower. Primarily males are produced by male hormones added to the feed when they are fry or hybridization. You need to find a source that has both sexes.

You can always ask the hatchery about this.


I have a source that overnights me both sexes of blue tilapia. I grow them in one of my small recirculating tanks 2 inches per month and they are ready to be put in ponds by sprng in the 1.5 to 2 pound range.