Tilapia Hatchery

TILAPIA HATCHERY MANAGEMENT & FINGERLING PRODUCTION |

To meet the demand for tilapia fingerlings, more private hatcheries should be established. Although some fish-farmers specialize in fingerling production, many of them are engaged in fingerling and food fish production simultaneously. As the indury expands, farmers realize the importance of using good quality fingerlings. As long as the demand for fingerlings exists, a well-managed hatchery is a lucrative business.Brood Stock Selection     Genetic improvement of tilapia is imperative to the development of the industry. Select quality brood stock to improve tilapia production. Choose pure quality stocks and do not allow them to crossbreed with other species to preserve their genetic quality. Tilapia farmers should buy their stocks only from reliable and established sources.Maintenance of Good Quality Stock    It is necessary to maintain high quality pure stock with the following measures: 1. Prevent the introduction of inferior tilapia species into the brood ponds. Filter all incoming water or use ground water, if possible 2. Use brood fish of about 100 g or more. If larger brood stock are used the original stock can be easily identified after each production cycle. Use the same stock repeatedly, depending on their performance. 3. Adopt an independent culling-selection process for undesirable stock. Always eliminate fish that has questionable characteristics 4. Examine breeders carefully when re-stocking after each cycle. 5. Avoid introduction of breeders from non-accredited sources. 6. Teach laborers and caretakers the importance of preventing genetic contamination. 7. Drain ponds completely and remove all stocks pond reconditioning.

Hatchery MethodsPond Method     The open pond is the simplest and most common method of fingerling production. In this method, a pond serves both for spawning and rearing. Stock breeders into the ponds and allow to spawn naturally at controlled...