Tilapia - West Africa

All feed formulas developed by Aller Aqua at the Aller Aqua Research Centre follow these requirements to ensure proper growth and health:

• Protein Needs:

Juveniles: 32–38% crude protein

Grow-out: 25–32% crude protein

High-protein feeds (32–35%) used in commercial systems for faster growth

• Fat and Energy Needs:

Fat: 5–8% (moderate to low)

Digestible energy: ~12–14 MJ/kg

• Essential Nutrients:

Amino acids: Lysine and methionine are limiting and often supplemented

Vitamins: A, D3, C, and E, important for stress resistance and immunity

Minerals: Phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, and zinc for bone and metabolic health

The range of solutions developed by Aller Aqua is suitable for each stage of the fish lifecycle as well as common Production Systems in West Africa:

Earthen ponds: Most widespread due to low cost and availability of land and water

Concrete tanks: Used in peri-urban farms and hatcheries

Cages in lakes/reservoirs: Growing in popularity in countries like Ghana (e.g., Lake Volta)

Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS): Rare but emerging in urban areas

• Environmental Conditions:

Temperature: 25–32°C is optimal (West African climate is ideal year-round)

pH: 6.5–8.5

Oxygen: Preferably >4 mg/L

Stocking and Feeding Practices:

Stocking density: 2–5 fish/m² (ponds), up to 50–100 kg/m³ (cages)

Feeding frequency: 2–3 times per day

In smaller farms, feeding may be manual; larger operations use automatic feeders

• Growth and Harvest:

Market size: 250–500 g in 5–6 months

Harvest is often partial and continuous in small-scale operations

A carefully selected composition of raw materials and verified feed formulas ensure that the fish is rich in minerals and vitamins, and at the same time that the texture of meat is of the highest quality. We make sure that fish grown using solutions provided by Aller Aqua offer the following benefits:

• Nutritional Value:

Good source of lean protein (~20 g/100 g)

Low in fat, but provides omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids

Rich in vitamins B12, D, and essential minerals (selenium, phosphorus)

• Food Security & Affordability:

One of the most affordable protein sources in West African diets

Supports nutrition in low-income communities

• Cultural Relevance:

Commonly prepared grilled, fried, smoked, or in local stews, highly accepted across the region

Tilapia farming drives job creation across hatcheries, feed mills, and processing. It is a key species for women and youth involvement in aquaculture.

It's a potential sustainable food source because it can be integrated with crop-livestock farming systems. It has a lower environmental footprint compared to carnivorous fish. One oif the benefits of farming tilapia is its efficient feed-to-fish conversion when properly managed.