Advantages And Disadvantages Of Tilapia

Tilapia are farmed and bred all around the world, both commercially and in homes or research institutes. These fish are especially aggressive and can be very difficult to breed; they require very specific tank setups and water conditions in order to be naturally “cued” to lay eggs and to fertilize the eggs. It is also difficult to keep the adults from eating the eggs that are left vulnerable in the bottom of a tank. Despite all of these difficulties in successfully breeding tilapia, there are many methods and specific instructions that can be followed to produce optimal results. The size of the tank is especially important for tilapia breeding; if the tank is too small or too large, it may discourage the fish from laying or fertilizing the …show more content…
This tank should be at least 55 gallons. Tilapia need a substrate to lay their eggs onto with minimal water flow and nothing to sweep the eggs away (Storey, “Breeding”). Most sources suggest using a terracotta flower pot as a sort of shelter for the eggs that the mother will lay. This pot should be one and a half times the size of the largest male wide and deep, and placed this same length from the edge of the tank. The open end of the pot should face the closer end of the tank to create privacy for the female fish laying her eggs. Any filtration units or air stones should be placed on the opposite end of the tank; there should be as minimal air and water flow as possible to prevent the eggs from moving. In the middle of the tank, five sections of PVC pipe should be placed in a triangle formation, facing the front of the tank to keep the …show more content…
Lakeway Tilapia recommends a steady temperature of 85 degrees fahrenheit. They also suggest a sturdy metal heater, as tilapia tend to bash against these units daily and can even cause damage to some glass types. The Bright Agrotech website states that this warm temperature, when coupled with ample lighting, serves as a biological cue for the females to start laying eggs and for the males to fertilize them. They also recommend an extensive lighting cycle of at least twelve hours a day; however, the blog, “Tilapia Farming at Home” states that an artificial light cycle should be on from 6 am to midnight, at least. Lakeway Tilapia also states that the pH of both the nursery and breeding tanks be kept at “exactly 8.0.” They also recommend using an electronic pH meter rather than relying on pH strips. These specifications are likely the most important factor in tilapia breeding; without the correct water quality or amount of light, the fish may never lay the eggs in the first