I just spoke with my Tilapia supplier, who is a fisheries biologist, and he informed me that Tilapia in the 4-6" range actually reproduce more off spring than older, larger ones due to spawning much more often.
Also FWIW smaller Tilapia will eat a much more varied diet of zooplankton other fry, and phytoplankton. Once a size of around 10" is reached growth and spawns are dramatically reduced and they start to feed primarily on detritus and algae.
So for forage AND algae control it is best to stock several 5-7" fish. For forage only stock 3-5" and for algae control stock 8" plus sizes.
He also assured me that the fish he sent me are pure strin Oreochromis Aurea, Blue tilapia.
