How to grow azolla - feeds for tilapia
Like 3 Dislike 0 Published on 29 Sep 2017
We used Azolla to feed tilapia fish and its very helpful we dont need to buy commercial feeds anymore.
Azolla or mosquito fern is an aquatic fern. It is a fast growing aquatic fern that can double its size just in 3days. It is used by many tilapia growers as tilapia feeds because of its high protein content, almost the same in retail tilapia feeds. I will show in this video how tilapia ferocious in eating azolla. Also included in this video some TIPS in growing azolla fern.
Tips:
Site selection:
- Choose site with a good water source
- Do not use water coming from your faucet that contain chlorine it might kill your azolla fern, better stock rain water for azolla
- It should be well exposed to sunlight
Pond preparation:
- The size of your azolla pond depends on the area and number of tilapia you want to feed
- For 100square meter tilapia pond you can have seven small azolla pond 3m x 3m with a depth of 200mm (7 small azolla pond so you can alternate the harvest of your azolla, for continuous feeding)
Pond fertilization;
- Since your pond is newly constructed apply dried pig manure, chicken manure or cow manure to fertilize your azolla
- Maintain a water depth of minimum of 3 inch deep.
Securing azolla fern:
- You can obtain azolla from any azolla grower for P150-200/kilo
- 1 kilo is enough to start growing your azolla for tilapia consumption
Care and maintenance:
- Enclosed your azolla pond with net to secure your azolla from other animals that eat azolla
example (chicken)
Harvesting:
- Azolla can double its size in couple days, with your 1 kilo of azolla you can start harvesting
as early as 2 weeks
- You can use lift net to harvest you azolla or you can harvest directly with the use of your hand