Adaptability of the Technology

This technology is best suited to small -scale farmers, since only a relatively small investment is needed.

Use of the Technology

Rearing of Red Nile (a kind of tilapia) fry begins when the fry weigh about 3 grams, and lasts until they reach around 35 grams in weight. It aims at providing fish that will be reared for consumption. Rearing techniques can follow the methodology below.

Prepare Cages

• 1. Prepare 4-unit floating net cages of 3 x 3 x 1 m and 8-unit floating net cages of 1 x 1 x 1 m in one raft ( Fig. 1). The net can be made from polyethylene netting ( Fig. 2).

Introduce Fingerlings

• 2. Prepare 1 kg of red nile fingerlings (about 5 grams each). The number of fish will be about 450-500 fish per m2. Introduce the fingerlings into the cage at night, or at dawn before sunrise.

Feeding Schedule

• 3. Feed with pellet feed with a 28-30% protein content. The amount of feed provided depends on the age of the fish.
• 1st-2nd week, 7% of body weight;
• 3rd-4th weeks , 6% of body weight;
• 4th-5th weeks, 5% of body weight;
• 7th-harvesting time, 3% of body weight.

The feed is divided into three parts and given to the fish in the morning, at noon and in the evening.

Harvesting

• . The fish can be harvested after eight weeks. The weight should be about 35 grams/fish.

Note: Agricultural technologies are highly location specific. For this reason, please try new technology first on a small scale to see if it works well in your own field.

Index of Images

Figure 1 Floating Net Cages (I)

Figure 2 Floating Net Cages (II)

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