Tilapia: an unknown opportunity to make money

Most people have never heard of the tilapia fish, but it is one of the major groups of fish in the world. Tilapia has been a part of human consumption for more than 3,000 years, but its true potential for reproduction has only recently become apparent. Tilapia is a generic name that includes more than 100 different fish breeds. They are one of the easiest and most effective species of fish to breed, and this makes them the perfect choice for the backyard breeder.

Tilapias have some capabilities that make them tremendously effective for home rearing. Among these are

1. Omnivore. Tilapia can eat almost anything from dead leaves to organic debris at the bottom of the pool. They also have gill rakes, small combs located on their gills that allow them to filter tiny organisms from the water that passes through their gills. Tilapia fish have been shown to be able to digest more than 60% of the mud that passes through their digestive system. Food and vegetable scraps from the house can be fed to the fish. This can be a more efficient use of food waste than compost.
2. Resistant to diseases. Tilapia is one of the most disease resistant fish out there. For the beginner or hobbyist, they are the perfect choice, as many diseases that kill other fish have no effect on tilapia. Beginners can focus on raising fish, not keeping them alive.
3. Fast breeding. Tilapia can reproduce at an exceptional rate. They reproduce so fast that some of the larger farms use techniques such as hormonal treatments to ensure that primarily males are born. Under the right conditions, a single breeding pair can spawn between 200 and 500 fingerlings per month. If the water is kept at the right temperature and quality, these fish reproduce continuously. Tilapia fish raise their young inside their mouths and this keeps the survival rate very high. Most home breeders will quickly learn that tilapia will raise much more than they can consume themselves, giving them an excellent opportunity to earn some extra money.

Creating a small tilapia farm at home has several great advantages:

• First, you can easily and inexpensively provide an excellent source of meat to your family’s diet. Tilapia fish provide a very high quality food, rich in protein and amino acids, but low in fat.
• Second, as already stated above, it provides an excellent opportunity to earn a second income. Tilapia fish can be sold as fingerlings to other people who want to start their own farm or as fish to eat when they are old enough. Some farmers even sell or use fish tank or pond waste as fertilizer.
• Third, growing these fish will cost you less than buying fish on a daily basis. Adding more fish to your diet is a healthy option, but it can be very good for your bank balance.

It is very easy to start your own tilapia fish farm at home. A small and simple rearing system can be set up in your home, adding to the enjoyment of the whole process. There is a lot of information available on the Internet about how to start your own tilapia farm.