SoCal Aquaponics

The Aquaculture industry in the United States is in its infancy. Presently, the success of the industry depends largely on two factors.

First, demand for high-quality fish products is increasing. Most of the fish consumed by Americans is imported. Of all products imported to the United States, the value of imported seafood was second only to that of imported petroleum.

Second, world supplies of wild fish stock are decreasing. As wild stocks continue to be depleted, aquaculture represents an alternative means to meet the increased demand for fish products. Currently, aquaculture is the most rapidly growing segment of the agricultural sector of the United States economy.

Some of the more established species currently produced on fish farms include catfish, trout and salmon. U.S. aquaculture will depend largely on five species: shrimp, salmon, catfish, trout and tilapia.

Tilapia is poised to make a substantial contribution to aquaculture. It is hardier and more prolific than other species. Also, tilapia produces a fine-tasting white, flakey meat.

Characteristics

It requires water temperatures from 76 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit. Currently, tilapia are produced in outdoor ponds and indoor systems. They are prolific breeders and were considered a national pest in Indonesia until the citizens began using them as a food source. Tilapia production in outside ponds is strictly regulated in the southern United States for fear that some fish may escape from the farm ponds and encroach on native sport fishing populations.

Food

Tilapia can survive on a diversity of food. Algae is probably their most common food in the wild. On fish farms they are fed a high-protein pelleted feed. When raised in a controlled environment they can achieve growth rates of up to 3 percent of body weight per day, but 2 percent is a more likely average. The fish is efficient and should gain about one pound for every 1.5 pounds of food. Tilapia fingerlings are typically purchased at a weight of 0.07 of an ounce. They are marketed at 1½ to 1¾ pounds at 6 months of age.

Tilapias are fed commercially available pelleted fish food. They can be fed by hand or with a sprinkler mechanism, and are generally fed twice per day. Tilapias are generally quite hardy and readily adapt to new environments. Death loss of 10 percent is common until the fingerlings weigh about 1.0 ounce. Death loss of 0.5 percent from 1.0 ounce to selling weight is common.