Livestock
Tilapia Pond Feeding: Getting Feed Conversion Right
Feed is up to 70% of the cost of growing tilapia. Feeding the right pellet, at the right rate, is how fish farmers stay profitable.
JAAG Livestock TeamAnimal nutrition & healthPublished 6 min read
Feed conversion ratio (FCR) is the kilos of feed needed to produce one kilo of fish. Well-managed tilapia ponds on quality floating feed can achieve an FCR around 1.3–1.6; poorly managed ponds can exceed 2.5 — nearly doubling feed cost per kilo.
Match pellet size to fish size
- Fry: fine crumble, 4–6 feeds a day.
- Fingerlings (5–50 g): 2 mm pellets, 3–4 feeds a day.
- Growers (50–200 g): 3–4 mm floating pellets, 2–3 feeds a day.
- Finishers (200 g+): 4–6 mm floating pellets, 2 feeds a day.
Feed by biomass, adjust by appetite
Estimate total fish weight by sampling 20–30 fish every two weeks. Feed about 2–3% of biomass per day for grow-out fish, then watch: if pellets are left floating after five minutes, feed less next time.
