Tilapia Pond Farming — 180-Day Cycle
A complete guide to setting up and managing earthen ponds for Nile tilapia production in Kenya. Covers pond construction, fingerling stocking, feeding, water quality management, disease prevention, and marketing to deliver table-size fish in 180 days.
Dr. Peter Kamau
PhD Fisheries & Aquaculture, Maseno University
8 years experience
Dr. Peter Kamau is an aquaculture scientist and agribusiness consultant who has helped hundreds of farmers establish profitable tilapia and catfish pond systems in Western Kenya and the Coast region. He offers end-to-end support from pond construction and fingerling sourcing to market linkages, and has trained over 600 farmers through USAID-funded programs.
Sample Schedule (First 2 Weeks)
Pond Site Assessment
Select a site with clay-loam soil (good water retention), gentle slope (1–2%), year-round water supply (river, borehole, or dam), and access for harvesting. Avoid areas prone to flooding.
Pond Design & Sizing
Design a rectangular pond 20 m × 10 m × 1.5 m deep (300 m² = 0.03 ha). Install inlet pipe at one end (elevated) and outlet/monk structure at the other end at pond floor level.
Pond Construction
Excavate pond to depth. Compact earthen walls (slope ratio 1.5:1 side). Install inlet pipe with screen mesh (prevent wild fish entry) and outlet monk (PVC pipe system for depth control and harvesting).
Pond Liming
Apply agricultural lime at 100–200 kg/pond to raise pH to 7–8. This also kills pathogens and parasites. Leave pond dry for 7 days after liming.
Pond Fertilisation
Apply chicken manure (200 kg/pond) or DAP fertiliser (5 kg/pond) dissolved in water to stimulate phytoplankton growth. Green water colour indicates healthy algal bloom — natural food for fingerlings.
Fill Pond & Monitor Water Quality
Fill pond with water. Monitor: pH (7–8), temperature (25–30 °C), transparency (Secchi disc 30–40 cm). Secchi too deep = water too clear = not enough natural food. Add more fertiliser if needed.
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