How to Raise Tilapia in Ponds in Dallas

Because tilapia naturally live in small enclosed ponds, they are one of the best species choice for pond-raised aquaculture. In Dallas and other parts of Texas, a permit is not required to pond raise Mozambique tilapia, making it easy for beginners to try their hand at aquaculture. Locating and initially stocking a tilapia pond is definitely an investment of time and money, but since tilapia are easily raised in captivity on minimal food, the investment will likely be worthwhile.

Things You'll Need

  • Pond with drain
  • Water
  • Heating element
  • Phosphorous-rich fertilizer
  • Mozambique tilapia
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Instructions

    • 1

      Select and set up your pond or ponds. Small and shallow ponds make it easy to harvest the tilapia when they are ready. Your ponds can be as wide as desirable, but for best results, they should be no deeper than 6 feet. Install a small drain in the side or bottom of the ponds to easily remove the water when you are ready to harvest the fish.

    • 2

      Fill the pond with water and install a heating element, if necessary. The climate of Dallas is great for raising Mozambique tilapia, which are native to Southern Africa and have adapted to a warmer weather. In the winter months, you may need to use a heater to keep the water temperature higher than 68 degrees, and ideally between 82 and 86 degrees.

    • 3

      Increase the nutrient load of the pond with fertilizer. Tilapia are great fish for raising in ponds because they primarily eat algae and detritus. Adding in a small bag of phosphorus-rich fertilizer will increase algae blooms, ensuring that your new fish will have sufficient food.

    • 4

      Place your initial stock in the pond. The tilapia will eat and grow, and at 8 to 9 months will be able to reproduce. If you intend to raise the next generation of fish, remove the fry to prevent them from being eaten and place them in a new pond. Otherwise, allow them to remain and continue growing your tilapia until they have reached the marketable weight of 1 pound.