We may earn compensation from the products mentioned in this post. See our Affiliate Disclaimer.
Over the decades, tilapia breeding is a practice that has expanded rapidly around the world. Since the species is a warm water fish, they are highly ideal for cultivating in tropical regions where the water is heated year-round. While this notion is true, many growers nowadays are breeding tilapia beyond their standard warm water margins. Indeed, these robust species can withstand environmental conditions other fish may not be able to tolerate. Nonetheless, many novice practitioners would like to find out, can tilapia survive in cold water?
Yes, tilapia can survive in cold water; however, growers will have to select the right variety to breed in colder temperatures. To learn more about tilapia’s water tolerance, we will identify these species’ three common types and their specific attributes.
In this article, we will highlight the common tilapia varieties, their individual characteristics, and address the question, “can tilapia survive in cold water?”
What Are The Common Tilapia Varieties?
Tilapia is one of the leading freshwater products today of the aquaculture industry. These fish are from East Africa, but they are dramatically becoming a vital food source worldwide. They belong to the Cichlid family. And their variety is a prominent choice for fish breeders all over the world due to their rapid growth rate, low-cost, and resilience. Mostly, there are over a hundred tilapia varieties; however, we list down the three common types growers prefer to raise in their breeding facility:
Mozambique Tilapia
A favorite among commercial producers is the Mozambique tilapia with their high-quality meat. This is a critical element to consider, especially if you plan to market tilapia fillets to restaurants. In general, the Mozambique tilapia thrive in pH levels between 5 to 9.
The female fish are known to lay hundreds to thousands of eggs during their breeding period. With regards to growth rate, this type can mature over 2 pounds within a year. Take note that this variety with their olive green and yellow tone gets usually mistaken for the Nile species.
Nile Tilapia
On the other hand, the Nile tilapia are species that can grow over 5 kilograms. These fish can gain 1 to 2 pounds in roughly 5 to 7 months. They can also last for more than 10 years.
In the United States, these species occur in various states such as Florida, Mississippi, Arizona, and Minnesota. Interestingly, this tilapia variety is a herbivore with omnivorous inclinations. The fish mostly consume organisms like algae or phytoplankton; however, they likewise eat other insects.
Blue Tilapia
Last on the list is the blue tilapia, which features a blue-gray hue with touches of pinkish-white in their belly. These species are prevalent in the Florida area in the United States. In contrast to the first two varieties in the list, blue tilapia is the slowest when it comes to their growth rate. They usually grow 2 to 4 pounds in approximately 3 years.
In terms of food preference, adult blue tilapia are typically herbivores. While the younger species feed on small arthropods and zooplanktons.
QUESTION OF THE DAY | AMAZON LINKS |
Got Tanks? |   |
Can Tilapia Survive In Cold Water?
Now that you are familiar with the three common varieties of tilapia, let’s examine which ones can survive in cold water. Although bear in mind that tilapia, in general, is possible to cultivate in cold climates with the help of heating equipment or following an alternate method.
Most growers that reside in cold areas practice an alternate method in which they cultivate numerous species within the year. For example, they raise trout or carp during the cold months and switch to tilapias during the warm seasons.
Needless to say, among the species mentioned above, the tilapia that can survive in cold water is the Blue varieties. Mozambique and the Nile tilapia can likewise tolerate colder temperatures, however, in the case of the Nile fish, they will begin breeding only when the water level reaches 68°F.
The blue tilapia, on the other hand, can withstand water temperatures nearly at 46°F. Though they prefer temperatures ranging from 54°F to 90°F. Compared to the first two varieties, blue tilapia will be more practical to raise in cold areas. They will be able to endure the environmental conditions without the need to purchase costly heating equipment.
Conclusion
The freshwater tilapia are naturally warm water fish ideal to raise in tropical regions. Then again, their resilience allows growers to cultivate them in locations with cooler temperatures. Yes, tilapia can survive in cold water; however, fish breeders will need to consider the right variety that can withstand their surroundings.
Keep in mind that cultivating tilapia in areas with colder climates can be challenging yet widely possible. Do you want to know which crops are suitable to grow during the cold season? Click here to learn more about winter plants. Otherwise, if you are wondering how to start a tilapia breeding program, click here.
