Leaping Tilapia

[Robert Rowe]

It appears I overlooked Tilapia leaping out of the pool and probably lost 4 fish I had put in my 700 gallon open tank.

Has any body had experience with this issue?

I hate to have to put a net over the tank but am not sure how high I would have to go up with a perimeter barrier..

[Jon Nose]

Yeah .. other wise know as suicide d ... net is a requirement and if you have mink in your area may want consider something that will keep them out as well as keeping the fish in.

[Jim Troyer]

@ Bob

Are those the fish you just moved?

I think they are trying to get back where they came from after just moving them.  After a bit they should l settle down.

Try adding some cover for them to hide in to feel safer, like some old plastic pots.  In my new system, the fish are hanging near the garden hose I use for top up water from the original system.  

If you are still worried about the leap of death, a foot tall plexiglass barrier would be a good option around your big tank. 

@ Jon Nose:  no mink in the Arizona Desert

[Manfred Steibli]

Hi Robert,
You never know when they will jump. I made frames out of 1/2 inch PVC and stretched some bird netting on it. Works well and you see easy through it,
Manfred

[Sheri Schmeckpeper]

Bob, we've had a number of them jump out for various reasons. They'll jump out sometimes if you have mating going on. The dominate male can get pretty aggressive, and the others will do anything to stay out of his way.

We had some jump through little tiny holes to get out of a tank that, as near as we can tell, had a pump with a weird vibration.

I've heard a 1' edge above the water is recommended to keep all sizes tilapia in. We haven't had them jump more than 6", I don't think, but that doesn't mean they can't. A lot depends on the size of the fish.

[Robert Rowe]

I solved that problem as you will see.

Now I discovered a Bob made issue, namely my fish management net, allows uneaten pellets to fall through to no-mans-land. ???

Sheri Schmeckpeper said:

Bob, we've had a number of them jump out for various reasons. They'll jump out sometimes if you have mating going on. The dominate male can get pretty aggressive, and the others will do anything to stay out of his way.

We had some jump through little tiny holes to get out of a tank that, as near as we can tell, had a pump with a weird vibration.

I've heard a 1' edge above the water is recommended to keep all sizes tilapia in. We haven't had them jump more than 6", I don't think, but that doesn't mean they can't. A lot depends on the size of the fish.

[Sheri Schmeckpeper]

Oops! Haha! Can you throw a catfish or plecostomus under the net?

[Robert Rowe]

I thought of that, I have a 17 1/2" plecy but I not sure if I will be able to keep the tank warm enough in the winter. Still thinkin!

Sheri Schmeckpeper said:

Oops! Haha! Can you throw a catfish or plecostomus under the net?

[Sheri Schmeckpeper]

Hmmm, yeah, we killed a nice 10" one this last winter. Catfish would do fine in the heat and cold. We'll all brainstorm when we get there Sunday, then you'll have 100's of ideas. :)  I wish you could come on the tour, too.

[Robert Rowe]

I went to Davids today to get some Juvenile Tilapia he "got from you" Good luck finding his house. The gate guard had a map but wouldn't let me borrow it and my short term memory displays my age.

I am hoping to make it to the Bar B Q.

 
Sheri Schmeckpeper said:

Hmmm, yeah, we killed a nice 10" one this last winter. Catfish would do fine in the heat and cold. We'll all brainstorm when we get there Sunday, then you'll have 100's of ideas.  I wish you could come on the tour, too.

[Sheri Schmeckpeper]

That would be fantastic if you can make the BBQ. Hopefully there will be someone on the tour with a good memory. It won't be me.  :)