Blue Tilapia Suitable to Eat vs. Nile or Wami Tilapia?

[Roger]

I'm looking to buy fish this week to put into my aquaponic system this weekend.  However, my local suppliers only seem to carry blue tilapia.  Has anyone raised these?  A few questions.  Are they as good to eat as say Nile or Wami Tilapia, which many AP peeps seem to use?  Any special concerns or requirements with Blue tilapia?  Any information I may need to know.  I'm considering buying these versus the more traditional tilapia used due to cost (no need to pay for shipping).  Please share any and all information or concerns.  

Thanks!

[George]

I don't know beans about it but thought possibly blue might be mossambicus and that the link below might help.  I've observed that once someone who doesn't know what they are talking about chimes in that someone who does know will then pipe up so maybe you'll get more info.  Good luck.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oreochromis_mossambicus

[Keith Rowan]

blue tilapia are the most cool water tolerant, i have had good growth of the blues, and at least 2 batches of babies in a swimming pool with temps at about 74F

and they taste just as good as any other tilapia i've had

[Roger]

Keith - Are blue tilapia still tolerant of warmer water temps?  I have a AP system in my basement and during the summer with all of my lighting water temps could potentially be as high as 80 degrees.  During the winter water temps could dip to 60 degrees; however, I have a heater that does a pretty decent job of warming the water.  I just don't want to worry about cooling the water which is much more expensive from what I hear.  Do blues produce as much meat as Niles or Wami?

Keith Rowan said:

blue tilapia are the most cool water tolerant, i have had good growth of the blues, and at least 2 batches of babies in a swimming pool with temps at about 74F

and they taste just as good as any other tilapia i've had

[Roger]

Thanks for sharing the Wiki article George! :)

George said:

I don't know beans about it but thought possibly blue might be mossambicus and that the link below might help.  I've observed that once someone who doesn't know what they are talking about chimes in that someone who does know will then pipe up so maybe you'll get more info.  Good luck.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oreochromis_mossambicus

[Keith Rowan]

the blue's are fine in warmer waters and from what i've read (and seen in ponds) they're much more prolific as the temps get warmer.. they'll be ok into  the 90's!

[Roger]

Thanks for the info Keith!  Based on input from you and several other people on this website I have 20 blue tilapia arriving a week from this Thursday.  I can't wait to get them in the water!

Keith Rowan said:

the blue's are fine in warmer waters and from what i've read (and seen in ponds) they're much more prolific as the temps get warmer.. they'll be ok into  the 90's!

[Frank Scanlan]

I put 15 blue tilapia fingerlings in my system in March.  After the water was stabilized I added 20 more with a few in the 6 to 8 inch range. And there are now a bunch of fish ranging from minnow size to up 2 inches. Can someone tell me when I can start to harvest some?  How long is a 1.5 pound blue tilapia?

Thanks

Roger said:

Thanks for the info Keith!  Based on input from you and several other people on this website I have 20 blue tilapia arriving a week from this Thursday.  I can't wait to get them in the water!

Keith Rowan said:

the blue's are fine in warmer waters and from what i've read (and seen in ponds) they're much more prolific as the temps get warmer.. they'll be ok into  the 90's!

[Alex Veidel]

Well, blue tilapia are the most cold resistant. They still like it warm, but they're less likely to die on you if things get a little cold. Other than that, I haven't really taken the time to learn all the differences.

[Alex Veidel]

Dagnabbit, I fell for the ol' resurfaced discussion trick. This conversation is almost a year old! I feel so stupid :P Pay no heed to what I said...