We specialize in stocking forage and gamefish in Texas lakes and ponds and offer defined programs for adding forage fish like fathead minnows, threadfin shad, golden shiners, tilapia, sunfish and bluegills to increase the size and health of the bass and catfish in your lake or pond. We have a … If you are stocking tilapia primarily for all-natural algae control about 10-20 pounds per acres is sufficient. Tilapia In Texas. Tilapia is the second most prolific species grown in aquaculture after carp, and the most widely grown fish on earth. Tilapia do consume some aquatic vegetation species such as duckweed and watermeal, but are not effective for control of most aquatic vegetation species. They are a very common aquaculture fish, and rank second to carp in the world in production. Mozambique Tilapia The Mozambique Tilapia, a native of southern Africa, is the only tilapia species that may be legally stocked in Texas without a permit. Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostics Laboratory, Texas A&M College of Agrculture and Life Sciences, Aquaculture, Fisheries, & Pond Management, Teaching, Research, Extension and Service. We are located in Caddo Mills, TX but are willing to travel to deliver your fish just about anywhere! Wild tilapia can spawn throughout the year, with females producing as many as 1,200 eggs per spawn. Blue or Nile tilapia require an exotic species permit, and are not to be used for recreational pond stocking. [CDATA[ (function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){i['GoogleAnalyticsObject']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){ (i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o), m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m) })(window,document,'script','//www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js','ga'); ga('create', 'UA-45983997-1', 'tamu.edu'); ga('send', 'pageview'); // ]]> Click for a hub of Extension resources related to the current COVID-19 situation. In Texas, stocking of Mozambique tilapia does not require a permit from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Tilapia are farmed in both intensive and extensive aquaculture systems. $69.95. Blue Tilapia Blue Tilapia are native to Africa and has become established in Texas and Florida and possibly Arizona, as a result of accidental releases from aquaculture operations. Stocking: To produce one pound fish, the common practice is to stock 5,000 to 8,000 fish per acre. For supplemental stocking rates please contact a representative.. Grass Carp (white amur) stocking densities will vary based on the amount of vegetation present in your pond or lake. Chemical products come in both liquid and granular formulations—of which the latter is typically the most expensive. They are herbivores who feed mainly on plankton, algae, and other vegetable matter. After working at two private hatcheries in Texas, Bob Waldrop early in his career saw the need for pure genetics, especially Florida Bass, Coppernose Bluegill, and Threadfin Shad. Free Shipping! A list of certified dealers is available within the instruction packet on the TPWD Triploid Grass Carp Information page at http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/landwater/water/habitats/private_water/gcarp_intro.phtml. Grass carp stocking rates to control most aquatic vegetation are usually in the range of 7 to 15 per surface acre or higher. While grass carp control a wide variety of aquatic vegetation, they do have defined preferences and will not control all aquatic vegetation species. Tilapia are often not effective for vegetation control if the pond has a robust bass population due to intense predation. Simply call your local County Extension Agent. ORS 635-007-600 3a. Common Names: Nile Tilapia, Nile perch, Redbelly Tilapia, freshwater snapper, mojara, ngege, St. Peter’s fish. Our very experienced staff have been helping pond owners with stocking programs and management services in Texas since 1982. Tilapia have been introduced around the world into fresh and brackish waters, sometimes deliberately for the purpose of controlling aquatic plant growth. For the latter, I spend my own money on the intensive management of several ponds. View our Sport and Lake Fish here. In Texas, stocking of Mozambique tilapia does not require a permit from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Tilapia is farmed in *5 countries with the largest producers being Asian countries such as China and Indonesia. Stocking Public Waters. Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostics Laboratory, Texas A&M College of Agrculture and Life Sciences, Aquaculture, Fisheries, & Pond Management, Teaching, Research, Extension and Service, Controlling Aquatic Vegetation With Grass Carp, a permit from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/landwater/water/habitats/private_water/gcarp_intro.phtml, SRAC Publication No. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife an exotic species permit is required to stock and transport tilapia. This fish stocking chart is a quick visual reference for stocking guidelines in Texas waters. As a result of their feeding patterns they do not accumulate toxins in their bodies. Tilapia are a tropical fish from Africa that have many uses. Check with a County Extension Agent in other states for legality of stocking tilapia. Tilapia are shaped like a sunfish or crappie and are easily identifiable by the interrupted lateral line characteristic of the Chiclid family of fishes. The biggest being that the phone numbers, web links and appointed officials were constantly changing. Most widely farmed are the mouth brooding species because even though they lay fewer eggs the fry have a much higher survival rate. Tilapia are often not effective for vegetation control if the pond has a robust bass population due to intense predation. So algae start growing around the same time that you can be stocking your pond or lake with tilapia. Description: Tilapia are a hardy, fast growing fish, that can live up to ten years and reach ten pounds in weight. They are excellent at eliminating duck weed, filamentous algae, pond slime, and many other undesirable algaes in your pond. $99.95. For several years we relied upon each state to provide accurate information to their own residents. In the designated “stocking zone” , department approval will not be required to stock tilapia, although escape of the fish into public waters remains unlawful. If stocked at higher rates, Tilapia will also control filamentous algae. It is found in fertile lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, and canals and is saltwater tolerant. Stocking your lake or pond with live tilapia from East Texas Tilapia will minimize the need for chemical control of algae and most submerged plants, including duckweed and watermeal. Range: Tilapia are native only to Africa and many U.S. States consider them an invasive, or non-indigenous species. Rosey Reds feeder fish aka Flathead minnows. //