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Tilapia growth in earthen ponds: 0.65 g to 1 kg in 4.5 months

In full-feed earthen-pond culture, PC Farm Thailand's Giant strain Nile tilapia grew from 0.65 g to 1,000 g in 4.5 months and reached 1,200 g at month 5. Overall average daily gain was 8 g/day, feed conversion ratio 1.2 and mortality less than 15%. This page sets out the growth figures and the culture conditions behind them.

· PC Farm Thailand (Farm Story Co., Ltd.) · Chachoengsao, Thailand

Key results

How fast does PC Farm tilapia grow?

Growth performance of Nile tilapia in a 1,600 m² earthen pond stocked with 16,000 fry.

4.5 monthsfrom 0.65 g fry to 1,000 g
8 g/dayoverall average daily gain (ADG)
FCR 1.2feed conversion ratio
< 15%mortality

Culture conditions

Under what conditions?

FishNile tilapia — PC Farm Thailand's Giant strain
SystemEarthen pond, full-feed culture
Pond1,600 m² (1 rai), water depth 2 m
Stocking16,000 fry, starting at 0.65 g — about 10 fish per m²
Feed30–32% crude protein
Water qualityDissolved oxygen kept at 5–9 mg/L · ammonium (NH₄) at 0
Growth0.65 g to 1,000 g in 4.5 months · 1,200 g at month 5
Average daily gain8 g per fish per day overall
Feed conversion ratio1.2
MortalityLess than 15%

Source: PC Farm poster “Growth Performance of Nile Tilapia in Earthen Ponds” (Giant Black & Red).

Ask about fry for your farm
PC Farm poster: Growth Performance of Nile Tilapia in Earthen Ponds — 200 g at month 2, 500 g at month 3, 800 g at month 4 and 1,200 g at month 5; FCR 1.2, ADG 8 g/day, mortality under 15%

Month by month

How much do the fish weigh each month?

Fish reached 500 g by month 3 and passed 1,000 g at about 4.5 months.

MonthAverage weightDaily gain during the month
Month 2200 g6.16 g/day
Month 3500 g10.00 g/day
Month 4800 g10.00 g/day
Month 51,200 g13.30 g/day

Fry were stocked at 0.65 g. Source: PC Farm poster “Growth Performance of Nile Tilapia in Earthen Ponds” (Giant Black & Red).

Reading the numbers

What does this mean for a grow-out farm?

  • Market size by month 3. Fish averaged 500 g at month 3, the usual 500–600 g market size.
  • Growth speeds up late in the cycle. Daily gain rose from 6.16 g/day to 13.30 g/day, so a longer cycle produces large fish quickly.
  • About 1.2 kg of feed per kg of fish. An FCR of 1.2 on 30–32% protein feed.
  • Oxygen and ammonia matter. The result was achieved with dissolved oxygen held at 5–9 mg/L and ammonium at 0. See the pond culture guide for density, feeding and water targets.

Figures are recorded results under the conditions listed above, not guarantees. Actual results vary with density, feed, water quality, weather and management. We share further trial data with customers who visit the farm.

Good to know

Tilapia growth — FAQ

In full-feed earthen-pond culture, PC Farm Thailand's Giant strain Nile tilapia grew from 0.65 g to 1,000 g in 4.5 months and reached 1,200 g at month 5. Average weights were 200 g at month 2, 500 g at month 3 and 800 g at month 4, an overall gain of 8 g per fish per day.

The FCR was 1.2, on feed containing 30–32% crude protein. That is roughly 1.2 kg of feed for each kilogram of fish produced.

Mortality was less than 15% over the cycle, with dissolved oxygen kept at 5–9 mg/L and ammonium at 0.

16,000 fry in a 1,600 m² earthen pond with 2 m of water — about 10 fish per m².

Late in the cycle. Daily gain rose from 6.16 g/day up to month 2, to 10 g/day in months 3 and 4, and 13.30 g/day in month 5.

Not automatically. Growth, FCR and survival depend on stocking density, feed, water quality, weather and daily management. Use these figures as a reference and tell us about your system so we can advise on stocking.

Want the same genetics in your ponds?

Tell us your system, pond size and target harvest weight — we'll advise on stocking and confirm availability and a quote in THB or USD.

Request a quote LINE @aquashop

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