Tilapia

General

• Nile tilapia grows to 9 lb and 9 years old - [1]
• Overview of integrated growing with duckweed and algae - [2]

Growth Rate

• Exponential, linear, and plateau growth rates are the normal course of life of a tilapia. Depending on the genetics, the growth rate is linear up to from 1-3 lbs of weight. Linear phase starts at 100 grams, and before that, the rate of weight gain increases. - [3]
• It takes 6-12 months until harvest. - [4]
• 2% average growth rate of tilapia - [5], but .7% if fed duckweed alone - [6].
• 1-3% in linear stage - [7]
• Fish growth in lenght is linear, but weight gain is overall exponential in the general case - [8]

Stocking Rate

• 1/4 lb per gallon without supplemental pure oxygen. With oxygen, stocking up to 1 lb per gallon is possible. -[9]
• 5-9 lbs per cubic foot with oxygen - [10]. Same? 1 cubic foot = 7.5 gallons. Thi
• Bright Agrotech - correct stocking rate of 1 lb for 8-10 gallons of water - [11]. This rate allows for flow aearation, as opposed to air pump aeration - allowing the splash of flowing water to provide adequate oxygen. Summary: this figure is 1/2 or less the MSU publication above - so consistently conservative.
• 3 gallons to one pound of fish - [12]

Stocking Rate for Fry

• Southeast Asia stocking of fry - not adult carrying capacity of the water - .7 kg/m2 - [13] - if 1 meter deep, that is 264 gallons

Feeding

• In tilapia monoculture systems, animal manures stimulate phytoplankton which the tilapia feed on - [14]
• Tilapia can feed on duckweed alone with a 1:1 fish conversion ratio. Feed Conversion Ratio is best on duckweed alone, though the growth of the fish was half of that on a mixed diet. - [15]