How to Raise Tilapia Simply

Tilapia are a freshwater fish raised for their meat worldwide. These delicious fish are a popular treat, especially in East Africa. Many aquaculturists are turning to tilapia to make a tidy profit raising them and selling them for their meat. You too can easily raise tilapia as a self sustaining food source in your backyard with a large pond, water and the help of some chicken fertilizer.

Things You'll Need

  • Pond or large container
  • Chicken fertilizer
  • Water
  • Tilapia fingerlings
  • Fine mesh netting
  • Small sacks
  • Tilapia food
  • Fine rice bran, bread crumbs or earthworms
  • Dip net
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Instructions

  1. How to Prepare and Stock Your Tilapia Pond

    • 1

      Determine the size of container you will need for your tilapia, which need a pond at least 3 feet deep. Also, for every adult fish, you will need one square foot of surface area. Decide how many fish you would like to raise and buy a pond or container that meet these requirements. Place your pond in an area will it will receive shade for most of the day.

    • 2

      Put chicken fertilizer 2 inches deep in the bottom of your container one week before you stock your pond. This will encourage algae growth, which the tilapia eat.

    • 3

      Fill your pond with fresh clean water and stock your pond with tilapia fingerlings, purchased from a reliable fish provider. Place your fingerlings in the pond early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the water temperature is low. This will help avoid any shock to the fish which might weaken them.

    • 4

      Secure a fine mesh netting over your pond if you live in an area with many predatory birds to avoid your tilapia being eaten.

    How to Maintain and Harvest Your Tilapia

    • 5

      Feed your tilapia on a daily basis. You can buy feed at your local fishing store and supplement it with fine rice bran, bread crumbs or earthworms.

    • 6

      Add fertilizer to your pond on a regular basis to encourage natural algae growth to supplement your tilapia's diet. Put chicken fertilizer in small sacks and suspend them in the corners of the pond.

    • 7

      Remove the fish from the water with a dip net to harvest your fish, after waiting until they have fully matured.