A way to hatch tilapia eggs

[Dr. George B. Brooks, Jr.]

Tis the season to breed tilapia. So I thought you might find this paper on how to hatch tilapia eggs helpful. However, just to answer some pre-questions:

1. Yes it works.

2. Yes it really is that inexpensive. Naturally the cost has gone up some since 2002 when this paper was written but it can still be done for under $15 (not including the air pump)

3. Yes it is completely scaleable.

4. Yes it will work on a variety of other egg types as well.

Here is the link to the paper. Enjoy: http://bit.ly/ZESh8I

[Conrad Chin-Yee]

Still having difficulty distinguishing male and female fish and have never stripped eggs nor milked milt. Can you help?

Thanks

Conrad

[Dr. George B. Brooks, Jr.]

Greetings Conrad. I hope someone else can chime in with a better answer but from my experience, the question you ask is best answered by a two day short course and experience. With so many strains and combinations of the four popular species, it is not an easy thing to do. I've been raising tilapia (both Oreochromis and Tilapia species) since 1980 and I still have difficulty particularly when they are small. My typical process when I am not trying to be hyper efficient on time, is to set up a low density community tank and then harvest it once a month or so. The fish that have eggs in their mouths are females ;-D. I then isolate them in breeding groups of 4 females and one male and let the fun begin. 

 

Regarding artificial insemination. At the moment it is still easier (at least for me) to wait till the female has a mouth full of eggs and then flush the eggs from her mouth. However once again, the ease is this dependent upon the fish you have. Some strains hold on to their eggs for dear life after capture making your job much easier. Others will spit their eggs if you look at them cross eyed. I am looking for some powerpoints or videos for your review. I will post them if I can find them. 

 

Again, I hope someone out there as a better response than mine.

[Dr. George B. Brooks, Jr.]

Very interesting design. I like the clear plastic. I also have always followed the Home Depot philosophy of fish farming and I greatly appreciate Keep it Super Simple Ideas like yours. How long does it take to build and how are the fry released when they are ready?

[Dr. George B. Brooks, Jr.]

Try the originals as well, just in case.

[Dr. George B. Brooks, Jr.]

Excellent question Randall. As gently as possible. They all must be in constant motion but when you get it right, they are not lifting at all, just stirring. As the eggs mature their density change and you may need to apply more or less water. This is done by adjusting the air valve thus the amount of air going into the airlift pump. Next you will note some eggs that are white in color. Those are the dead ones. They tend to lighter and "float" to the top of the bunch and at times will "lift" out of tumbler which is a good thing. Finally as the fry absorb their yolk sacks and mature they tend to swim out of the tumbler on their own. Practice makes perfect.

[Dr. George B. Brooks, Jr.]

Just reread your message. Note: Direct contact with the bubbles can cause damage.

[Dr. George B. Brooks, Jr.]

Fascinating. This is the first account I have read of a female accepting her brood back. Can't wait to hear what happens next.

[Dan Bartlett]

Does someone have a video of a working device?  Very interested.

[Dr. George B. Brooks, Jr.]

@Dan. If you are talking about the incubator, no movies but I got a couple of stills. See below.

[Dr. George B. Brooks, Jr.]

Greetings. 1/2 inch works. The 3/4 inch you see compensates for an imperfect bottom on the egg chamber (glass). If you use the 1/2 take some time to find a glass with a good hemispherical internal bottom like this one. Also be sure to put an air valve on your air line to beed off excess pressure. Too much pressure will blow your eggs out of the glass or lift them in the water column so that the bounce hard on the glass walls. It will take a little practice but the eggs need to tumble gently. Finally, try to place the bottom of the pvc pipe going to the eggs as close is possible to the bottom of the glass. The greater the distance between one and the other, the more pressure you will need. Again like any technology, practice makes perfect. Enjoy 

[Dr. George B. Brooks, Jr.]

Let us know how it goes.

[Dr. George B. Brooks, Jr.]

A great pic (used with permission) from Jay Burgher his his take (and a good one I might add) on the tilapia egg incubator/tumbler detailed in the paper below. If you have also given it a try, please send pictures ;-)