Artificial Pond Culture Methods and Key Technical Points for Tilapia

1. Pond conditions

The farming site should be chosen in a place sheltered from wind and facing the sun, with abundant water, fresh and pollution-free water quality, quiet surroundings and convenient transportation. The pond area should be 3 mu to 5 mu, the water depth 1.5 to 2 m, and the pond bottom mud thickness 20 to 30 cm. Each pond is equipped with one 1.5 kW paddle-wheel aerator.

2. Pond clearing and fertilizing

Before stocking fingerlings, the pond must be cleared and disinfected. Generally in early to mid-April, apply 75 to 100 kg of quicklime per mu to clear the pond, add water to a depth of 1 m after 7 days, then apply 300 to 400 kg of decomposed manure per mu, and a small amount of duckweed or azolla may be added.

3. Fingerling stocking

Each spring, when the water temperature rises and stabilizes above 15°C, begin stocking winter fry. For pond monoculture, generally stock 1500 to 3000 fingerlings per mu, and at the same time polyculture 40 to 70 silver carp and 40 to 70 bighead carp fingerlings to control water quality; when polycultured with other fish, 200 to 500 fingerlings per mu may be stocked.

4. Feed feeding

Tilapia can begin to be fed 2 to 3 days after entering the culture water. Tilapia has a very broad feeding habit. Under artificial rearing conditions, various feeds can be given, such as wheat, corn, oilseed cakes and meals, all of which are high-quality feeds for it. The protein content in the feed should initially be 32% to 35%, and the daily feeding amount should be 3% to 5% of the total fish body weight. When the individual size grows to about 200 g, the feeding amount can be adjusted to 2% of the total fish body weight, and the protein content in the feed should be ensured at 27% to 29%. When the individual reaches about 300 g, tilapia enters its fastest growth period; the daily feeding amount should be kept at 1% to 2% of fish body weight, and the protein content in the feed should be above 35%. Feed twice a day, at 8 to 9 a.m. and 3 to 4 p.m. respectively.

5. Daily management

(1) Measure water temperature and air temperature every morning, noon and evening, measure pH once a week, and measure transparency twice. Patrol the pond once in the early morning and once at night.

(2) After fingerlings are stocked into the pond, keep the pond water tea-brown in color, with transparency of 25 to 30 cm. Generally fertilize once a week, applying 150 to 200 kg of livestock manure per mu each time. In clear weather, when water transparency is greater than 30 cm, the fertilization amount may be appropriately increased; when the water is too fertile, fertilization should be reduced or stopped and fresh water added. In hot seasons, generally change the water 1 to 2 times a week, replacing 20% to 30% of the pond water each time.

(3) Adhere to healthy culture, operate according to regulations, and prevent fish diseases. Before fry and fingerlings are stocked into the pond, soak the fish body in 5% salt water or 0.1 mg per liter potassium permanganate solution for 10 to 15 minutes. Every 10 to 15 days, dissolve 15 to 20 kg of quicklime per mu in water and splash it over the whole pond to adjust the pond water pH to slightly alkaline, use biological preparations to improve the pond microbial structure and improve water quality. When dissolved oxygen is low and fish show slight gasping at the surface, turn on the aerator.