Cage Culture of Tilapia: Good Feeding Management in Four Aspects

1. Feed selection. The choice of feed not only affects the growth rate of the fish, but also determines whether fish farming is profitable. The principles for feed selection: palatable, fresh, fully nutritious, reasonably priced. It is advisable to choose extruded (floating) feed produced by reputable, large-scale feed manufacturers; generally do not use sinking compound feed, as sinking compound feed will be wasted because the fish cannot snap it up in time.

2. Feeding rate and feeding frequency. For fish with an individual weight below 50 grams, the daily feeding rate is 4%-6%; for an individual weight of 50-200 grams, the daily feeding rate is 3%-4%; for an individual weight of 200-500 grams, the daily feeding rate is 2%-3%; for an individual weight above 500 grams, the daily feeding rate is 1%-1.5%. Feed 3 times a day, at 8:00, 12:00 and 18:00. During production operations, the feeding amount should be determined in light of objective factors such as water quality and weather. 3. Feeding method. On the 2nd day after the fish are put into the cage, start training the fish to feed, so that they develop the habit of feeding at regular times. When feeding, persistently follow the pattern of slow-fast-slow and little-many-little. During the rearing process, sometimes due to the effects of weather and the water environment, the fish have a strong appetite; at such times the feeding amount must not be increased at will, otherwise it will not only waste feed but may even trigger disease. Also, feed green feed such as vegetable leaves at irregular intervals. 4. Daily management. The daily management work of cage-cultured tilapia is an important technical means of ensuring high yield and high efficiency in cage fish farming. Management work mainly includes: frequently inspecting the cages, doing a good job of escape prevention, washing and scrubbing the cages, and contingency measures for disastrous weather and sudden accidents. Escape prevention must be carried out solidly, guarded against strictly, and vigilance maintained at all times. Water rats, soft-shelled turtles and the like will bite and tear the cages, causing fish to escape. Therefore, persist in pulling up the net for inspection every day; if the inspection is not thorough, all previous efforts may be wasted. Always listen to the weather forecast; when disastrous weather changes such as typhoons, storms and mountain torrents occur, promptly move the cages to a sheltered place, check whether the cage frames and anchor ropes are firm, and add cables to reinforce the cages. Hang a debris-intercepting net upstream of the cages to prevent floating objects and miscellaneous wood from tearing the cages.