Tilapia is the second most important freshwater food in the Philippines.

The most
important species is the Nile Tilapia (Tilapia Nolitica). Tilpia grows very fast and
reaches marketable weight of at least 200 grams in less than six months. A
backyard fishpond for tilapia will increase family income because it is a good
quality food suitable for processing into dried, smoked, or salted dried.
I. Estimated Investment Cost

Fishpond Selection and Preparation

1. Select Fishpond with the following characteristics:
– Clay soil to hold water
– Water is accessible throughout the year and can be sourced from river, spring,
deep-well, rain or tap water. It must be free from pesticide contamination and
pollution.
– Site is elevated for water to flow easily.
– Pond size could be 30-200 sqm. initially and can be expanded.
– Should not be flooded during the rainy season and has enough sunlight.

2. Level the bottom of the pond to prevent seepage.

3. Conduct pond treatment only in concrete ponds to remove the toxic effect of
cement. Do this by washing, flooding, and draining the pond at least three (3)
times.
4. Fertilize with organic fertilizer (chicken manure) at a rate of 1kg/sqm.
5. Fill the pond with water at an initial depth of 5-10 cm after the application of
organic fertilizer for a week. This would allow the growing of algae to serve as
natural feed for the fish. Growth can be observed through the greenish coloration
of water.
6. Fill the pond with water to the desired level between 1m to 1.5 m
7. To ensure no fish will escape, fine-meshed wire should screen the drainage
area (pipe).