Tilapia Feed Calculator — Daily Feed by Biomass (FAO Feeding Table)
Work out how much to feed tilapia each day from the number of fish, average weight and survival, using the FAO feeding table — biomass, feeding rate, meals per day and feed to reach harvest weight.
How it works
Fish alive = stocked × survival · Biomass (kg) = fish alive × average weight (g) ÷ 1,000 · Daily feed = biomass × feeding rate (% from the FAO table for that weight) · Feed to harvest = (harvest weight − current weight) × fish alive × FCR
Tilapia are fed a percentage of their total weight (biomass) that falls as they grow: around 10–30% a day for fry, 3–4% for 20–100 g juveniles and 1.5–2% for fish above 250 g, following the FAO feeding table. This calculator interpolates the rate within each weight class, so sample-weigh the fish every two weeks and update the ration. Reduce feeding when water is below about 22 °C, when oxygen is low early in the morning or when fish stop eating eagerly; uneaten feed fouls the water.
Worked example
1,000 tilapia stocked with 95% survival leaves 950 fish. At 50 g each the biomass is 47.5 kg. The FAO rate for 20–100 g fish, interpolated at 50 g, is 3.6% a day, so feed 47.5 × 0.03625 = 1.72 kg per day in 2 meals of 861 g (12.1 kg a week). Growing them to 500 g at an FCR of 1.6 needs about 684 kg more feed.
Sources: FAO — Feeding table for tilapia (Table 28) · FAO — Cultured aquatic species: Nile tilapia
Frequently asked questions
How much should I feed tilapia per day?
A percentage of the fish biomass that depends on size: about 6–10% for 1–5 g fry, 4–6% for 5–20 g fingerlings, 3–4% for 20–100 g juveniles, 2–3% from 100–250 g and 1.5–2% for larger fish (FAO).
How many times a day should tilapia be fed?
Small fry eat best in many small meals (up to 8 a day), fingerlings about 4, and juveniles and growers 2 meals a day. Large fish can be fed once or twice daily.
How do I know the average weight of my fish?
Net a random sample of 20–50 fish, weigh them together in a bucket of water (subtract the bucket and water) and divide by the number of fish. Repeat every 2–3 weeks and recalculate the ration.
What FCR is normal for tilapia?
With good floating pellets and well-managed ponds, an FCR of 1.4–1.8 is typical; above 2 suggests overfeeding, poor feed or water-quality problems.
What protein content should tilapia feed have?
Fry and fingerlings need about 40–45% protein; juveniles 32–35%; and grow-out fish 28–32%. Cheaper low-protein feeds raise the FCR.
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This calculator is for educational purposes. Double-check important results before acting on them.