**Will be available again May-June 2027** TILAPIA (Oreochromis spp.) ALIAS: Blue tilapia, Nile tilapia, St. Peter’s fish IDENTIFICATION: This blue and reddish-pink colored fish is capable of achieving lengths of 21" and weights up to 10 lbs. The long dorsal fin is indicative of this fish. DIET: Duckweed, filamentous algae, blue-green algae and Chara are among the favorites of this herbivorous species. SPAWNING: Spawning occurs in the summer in waters ranging from 68-92° F. The male guards the nest while the female keeps the eggs and fry in her mouth. They reproduce every 18-30 days. USE: Tilapia are stocked as an alternative to chemicals for algae and aquatic weed control. Their prolific reproduction helps feed the predators within the pond. Tilapia will not survive in water temperatures below 48° F. 30 lbs. per acre stocking rate is recommended.
