Fish (Tilapia, Cat Fish)

Tilapia is the second most fish farmed in the world and commercial farming of this fish is limited in India.The weather and environmental conditions of Asian countries are favorable for Tilapia fish farming. In 1959 ban was imposed on tilapia by the fisheries research committee of India, but recently its farming was approved with certain conditions in some states. Tilapia has high demand to fish farmers and consumers because of its fast growing feature. Tilapia fish prefers to live in shallow water. It is omnivores in nature that feeds upon phytoplankton, aquatic plants and small invertebrates. It is fed with artificial and floating pelleted feed. Its popularity is increasing day by day in local farmers and even in international markets because of its disease resistant quality, it can survive in adverse conditions and has an efficiency of eating natural feed. The feed conversion rate of Tilapia fish is 1.25-1.5. It can be harvested after 5-6 months and have 500-600g of weight at the time of harvesting if proper care is taken. Mainly 20,000-25,000 can be reared in per acre area.

Artificial diet: Normally the artificial fish feed is available in the markets. This feed is available in the form of pellet i.e. wet pellet and dry pellet. In wet pellet, to make the feed hard Carboxy methyl cellulose or gelatin is added and then it is thinly crushed and prepared into pellets. It is healthy but it can’t be stored for long time. In Dry pellet, as it is stored for longer time, they are transported from one place to another. It contains 8-11% of moisture content. Dry pellet is of two types, one is sinking type and other is floating type.

Protein: Mainly different breeds of fishes requires different amount of protein level in their diet for example marine shrimp requires 18-20% protein, catfish requires 28-32%, tilapia requires 32-38% and hybrid striped brass requires 38-42% protein in their feed.

Lipids: n-3 HUFA is required in the diet as a lipid for the optimal growth and health of marine fishes.

Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates are the major energy source in mammals. About 20% of carbohydrates are required in fish feed.

Feed types: There are two types of feed available i.e. floating and sinking feed. Different breeds of fishes prefer different feed for example shrimp will only eat shrinking feed. Feed is available in the form of pellets ranging in different sizes according to the size of the fishes.

Medicated feeds: Medicated feeds are used when fish stops eating the feed or fall ill. Medicated feeds are used to cure the fish from diseases.