Tilapia Fish Farming Information

The American Tilapia Association ranks tilapia as the fifth most consumed seafood in the United States. This lean, white, high-protein fish appeals to the American consumer due to its mild, light flavor and low mercury content. Despite tilapia's increasing popularity in the U.S., however, the majority of the tilapia consumed is imported from fish farms overseas. American aquaculturists have begun to take an interest in tilapia, however, producing fresh fish for restaurants and fish markets on farms located throughout the U.S.

  1. Common Species

    • Two common species of farmed tilapia are Nile tilapia and blue tilapia. Nile tililapia, the most commonly farmed tilapia species worldwide, is believed to have been farmed in ponds as early as 3000 years ago. In fact, hieroglyphics inside Egyptian tombs depict the farming of this popular fish. Commercially farmed in over 85 countries, Nile tilapia is a highly manageable species that produces a mild, semi-firm meat similar to catfish.

      Blue tilapia, on the other hand, tolerates cooler water temperatures better than Nile tilapia. This makes it a popular choice for farming in the United States. However, blue tilapia grows slower than Nile tilapia and other farmed species. Similar in flavor and texture to Nile tilapia, blue tilapia offers a delicate-tasting, semi-firm meat.

    Water Temperature

    • As tropical fish, tilapia require warm water to survive. Depending upon your climate, they can be farmed in outdoor ponds or indoor aquaculture systems. Optimal temperatures range between 82 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit. For tilapia, death occurs in waters below 50 F, and water temperatures below 68 F impede their growth.

    Diet

    • Tiliapia are omnivorous, feeding on aquatic plants, algae, small invertebrates, bacteria and detrital material. Although they eat organisms that rank low on the food chain, tilapia require a balanced diet of proteins, fiber, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals for best growth rates. When fed a high-protein diet, tilapia can grow approximately one pound for every pound and a half of food, according to the Department of Agricultural Economics at North Dakota State University.

    Reproduction

    • Tilapia reproduce rapidly, making them economical to farm, but problematic as well. Females often spawn before reaching maturity, impeding their growth and creating unwanted food competition. Due to their rapid reproduction rate, many species of tilapia are ecologically damaging if leaked into the wild. Therefore, laws in some areas may prohibit farming certain species.

      To control rapid reproduction rates, tilapia farmers prefer predominately male populations. To achieve this, they either discard the females or reverse their sex by adding hormones to their food during the early stages of life. Hybrids have also been bred, producing very high-percentage male populations.

    Aquaculture Systems

    • Tilapia are farmed in ponds, cages and tanks. Ponds offer the most natural environment, and the most commonly used. Pond farming primarily utilizes small, shallow bodies of water to heighten control and ease in harvesting. In larger bodies of water, fish farms often use mesh cages to ease harvesting and control spawning. Aquaculture tanks, the most expensive option, also offers the greatest degree of control.