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Do’s and Don’ts

Although tilapia are fairly forgiving and can tolerate the following conditions, they will remain healthy if you provide ideal conditions:

Temperature 10 to 35 degrees C            Ideal: 26-28 C/80-84 F (best 82F/27C)
pH 6.0-8.0                                                       Ideal: 7-8
Dissolved Oxygen 0.3 – 8.0 mg/l          Ideal: 4-6 mg/l

Ammonia:

Tilapia can tolerate high levels of ammonia.  The range for healthy fish is between 0 - .04 mg/l

Other Tolerance Levels:

Alkalinity 50 - 250 mg/l

Co2 0 - 30 mg/l

Hardness 50 - 350 mg/l

Salinity 0 - 10 ppt

Nitrite 0 - .8 mg/l

Do visit our Fish Feed page for suggestions on what to feed your fingerlings.

Do feed your fingerlings as much as they will completely consume in 15 minutes 3-5 times a day.

Do acclimatize your fish slowly to the tank before introducing them.  Leave the bag closed and floating in the tank water for 20 minutes before releasing the fish into the tank.

Do wait at least one hour before you feed your fish for the first time.  Feed them small amounts to make sure the food is being consumed.  If they do not eat, immediately check your water quality, pH and temperature and try again after 30 minutes.

Do provide hiding places for your fingerlings to avoid cannibalism.  You can use half of a PVC pipe, half of a new never used clay flower pot.  There are many different options at your local aquarium/pet store. Make sure that no chemicals have been used in/with your hiding place and do not wash in soap.

Don’t use chlorinated tap water in your tank unless you have used a water conditioner or have allowed the chlorine to evaporate for a few days.

Don’t put in a high population of fish together in the same tank without first cycling the tank.  The sudden spike in ammonia levels will kill your fish. Beneficial bacteria can be purchased at your local aquarium/pond store to help this process.

Don't mix a high poplulation of tilapia fingerlings with other species in the same tank.  Tilapia are not a community fish.  They have been known to be mixed with carp or koi in a pond setting.  Beware of mixing with other non-cichlid fish.