Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Will Tilapia eat anachris ? Its a free floating (no roots) pond plant. I have a bunch that thrived in my old koi pond and I would like to feed it to Tilapia when I get some fish. I have been saving it until I get some Tilapia, which looks like tomorrow.

Thanks,
Richard

Grass carp eat it. I don't see why Tilapia won't eat it. No personal experience.

SO far the answer appears to be a big no. I have a bunch of it floating around in the FT and they don't seem to be interested in it.

If you just got the fish the may be of feed for a while

What are your FT temps?

I have an electric heater in it and cover it at night. Air temps have dropped into the high 40's a couple of ties. My tactics have held the tank water at a min of about 63°F. Water temps get up to 70°F or so during the day, perhaps a bit higher. Perhaps still too cold for them ?

They maybe. Will they eat fish feed? If so, how is the feeding behavior?

The tilapia in my tank love to eat Duckweed. I cannot keep enough in the tank to have it continue to grow, I have to grow it in a separate tank and just add it to the fishtank for feeding. The duckweed is also a free floating plant found mostly on still, warm waters. I have found Tilapia to be voracious eaters that will eat just about anything.

Welcome to the madness and Good luck with your system(s)!


Joe

I have not been feeding them much yet, intentionally, since the water is cold and the system is still cycling up to deal with the ammonia laod, I am sure. We are in the middle of a bit of cold spell right now, in fact. 44°F last night. My insulated FT cover and 250 watt electric heater kept it at 61°F, but I had to turn off the circulation to the sump for fear of cooling the water too much. I ran an airator in the FT over the night. I am walking the balance between temperature and ammonia levels. The Tilapia are ok, but I have lost 3 catfish over the last week.