Azolla, Cheap Natural Feed For Tilapia
A cheap natural feed for tilapia can now replace at most half of the commercial feeds for tilapia production, according to results of a study conducted by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Cagayan province.
In an experiment conducted at the BFAR experimental farm in Iguig, Cagayan, regional researchers led by Cagayan Valley Regional Director Dr. Jovita Ayson found that small floating plants in fishponds, called azolla or duckweeds, can effectively substitute for half of the commercial feeds for tilapia production. Thus, the use of this floating plant can greatly reduce the cost of feeds and give tilapia raisers a savings of 50% on feed cost.
All that fishpond operators need is to allocate a portion of their ponds for azolla production. Azolla contains 40%-45% protein, according to Dr. Ayson. Fresh azolla can replace half of the commercial feeds. Since it is used in its fresh state, there is no added cost of production, except for the cost of collection.
The BFAR researchers reported that a 50-50 combination of fresh azolla and commercial feeds recorded a higher tilapia growth rate than pure commercial feeds.
<– Azolla Pic from www.aquariummonsters.com.au
Popularity: 17%
Popularity: 17%
April 27th, 2009 at 8:21 pm
Do you know where i can find/buy azolla that I can use to feed my tilapia?
Hoping for your favorable response.
Any assistance is highly appreciated.
Thank you
April 30th, 2009 at 10:07 pm
May 22nd, 2009 at 8:57 pm
I’m interested to start studying also to breed tilapia in tanks, i’m from Davao city, would like to get your inputs on how to start it. Pls email me at oajanduc2000@yahoo.com. Thanks!
rgds,
Omar
June 25th, 2009 at 12:30 am
July 6th, 2009 at 8:50 pm
November 19th, 2009 at 10:53 am
January 7th, 2010 at 9:32 am
I have an existing tilapia fishpond is it possible know where or how can I can get this azolla or duckweeds.
Thanks and Best regards,
Rey
reyderamos@yahoo.com
February 7th, 2010 at 6:51 pm
March 26th, 2010 at 5:04 am
1. Collect as many Azolla as you can in wild ponds in your local area.
2. 10 small tilapia(3cm) needs 1m^2 azolla, for continuous sustenance. So you need 1m^2 water trays to breed you own Azolla at home, for 10 small tilapia. Increase your azolla breeding area according to your fish size and feeding adequacy. Remove azolla plants if you can see the plants are crowding and overlapping. The best azolla breeding is when there are gaps in between azolla plants. If it is a no-light-through one, your azolla leaves will turn paler and yellow.
3. When you obtain Azolla from a pond in your local area, do not directly put them into the aquarium for your fish. Some ponds have high amount of organic compounds that if you instantly add them to your pond,you will dirty your water immediately. This increase oxygen demand in your aquarium and your fish will immediately gulp for air. Try to change and dilute the water brought together with Azolla.
4. Azolla reproduces the area of its own size in 3 days, provided you fertilise your tray water and give full sunlight plus hot climate is preferred.
5. Everyday carefully scoop some azolla for your fish, scoop only live azolla, don’t scoop the dead debris and azolla remnants. You must not cover the surface of the aquarium by more than half if you have no efficient air pump.
6. Stir the azolla in their breeding tray everyday, make clumped azolla break into individuals. This is to prevent a dark green algae from covering azolla plants slowly, deprive azolla from sunlight.
7. Azolla can dirty your aquarium very fast with its debris and organic remnants. You must sacrifice time to clean your aquarium, or otherwise devise methods to remove them quickly from your aquarium.
8. Ahha, the azolla water trays breed so much mosquitoes that you will suffer bites and may contract transmissible diseases from mosquitoes. So, cover the trays tightly and seal them well. If your breeding tray water is clean enough, introduce surface-breathing fishes such as Haruan or catfish, they eat mosquito larvae, I guess, if you shine enough light to let them see.
August 4th, 2010 at 7:10 am