Breeders

[Tom Maupin]

Im exploring the idea of breeding. Anyone know of where i can get a breeding colony? Or how much i can look to spend?

[Phil Slaton]

I'm out until Spring.  But contact Gregg at Backyard Tilapia -   http://backyardtilapia.com/  He is also very helpful.

Good breeder clonies for pure strain Tilapia are not cheap.

[Jeff S]

If you're just wanting to grow some eatin' fish don't worry too much about pure breds. I'm not for of what I have but from what I can tell they are blues. Got 5 of 'em for free and now have over a thousand. They breed for something to do. I only promoted 2 litters and that was 800. They still produce but most of the fry are eaten by the others. I'd be happy to give you some fish but getting them to you might be a problem.

[Phil Slaton]

Good post Jeff.  The pure strain - not pure breds - are beefy fish that grow quickly.  The all males strains grow to about 2 pounds in 5 or 6 months.  Huge filets.  Restaurants and supermarkets want them ... as well as part-time commercial growers that I will post about after Turkey week.

[Rob Nash]

Phil,

I've had the best hybrids I could find, and never had that kind of growth rate.. have you or anyone else ever had them grow to even 1-1/2 lbs in 6 mos?

if so.. where did they come from... mine were Americulture hybrids.

[Phil Slaton]

Pure strain, not hybrids.  Different fish.  You feed them 8 times a day, keep their water 85 degrees and kept their water 12ppm oxygen.

In the Spring I will sell you some of my O.Hornorum fingerlings.  If you grow them the way I tell you and they do not  reach 1-1/2 to 2 pounds in 6 months, I will refund your money and you keep the fish.  You go for that??

[Tom Maupin]

That woeks for me phil

[Phil Slaton]

Deal.

[Phil Slaton]

Size matters.  You can't ship breeder size Tilapia.   You can ship 3 to 5 inch Tilapia that can just be sexed, and grow them out.  That takes 5 to 8 weeks of 8 feedings a day of powdered Aquamax 300 to grow them out.  If I try to ship Breeder size fish, they run out of oxygen on the trip and die.

To raise them:

Water temp 85 degrees

2 feeders off eBay that feed 4 times a day each - total 8 feedings.  Cost range $12.00 - $16.00 each.     http://www.ebay.com/itm/261300850947?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&a...

 And 1 used coffee bean grinder that will grind the AquaMax 300 to a powder.  Cost range $12.00 - $16.00.     http://www.ebay.com/itm/BRAUN-beige-color-COFFEE-BEAN-GRINDER-MILL-...

Feed the fish according to the AquaMax feeding chart.  It is based upon the weight of the fish.  Note:  You have to weekly increase the amount of food you feed them daily.  They really grow.

Keep your water quality excellent, use Agualife.  If you cannot find it, I can sell it to you.  But you should be able to find it closer to you.

Aeration - 6 to 8 air stones in a 45 gallon aquarium or larger.

Put a Pleco or 2 in the tank to help keep the tank clean.