The Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission's Fishery Division obtained 3,000 Tilapia nilotica fingerlings from Auburn University on August 30, 1961. These were used as brood fish and were stocked in a 3-acre naturally fertile mined-out phosphate pit in Central Florida at the rate of 1,000 per acre. From time of stocking until May, 1962, there was an estimated 7 inches of growth. During the latter part of May this pond appeared to go into an overcrowded condition. Twelve ponds totaling 65 acres have been stocked with tilapia from the brood pond. Stocking rates have varied from 2 adults to 1,000 fingerlings per acre. Minimum water temperature at the blood pit last winter was 53 º F. Apparently no mortality occurred from this cold. It was estimated that 1,810 pounds of tilapia were produced per acre in the brood pit during a 369 day period. The fish were not fed and the pond was not fertilized. Tagging results to date from 100 bluegill and 100 tilapia show a return of 23 tilapia and 21 bluegills. The tilapia is thought to have great potential value in Florida as a sport and food fish.
