DA touts potential of raising red tilapia

AGRICULTURE Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol is upbeat on the potential of the red variety of tilapia, calling it a possible “hot new product” for aquaculturists because of its high growth rate.

In a Facebook post over the weekend, Mr. Piñol said that the variety thrived in his own farm with the Red Nile Tilapia ready for harvest quickly, helping growers replenish their ponds.

“The Red Nile Tilapia showed impressive growth rate as the ones caught by the boys would be two to a kilo,” Mr. Piñol said, adding that the Red Nile variety is superior in taste to the more familiar grey tilapia.

“This new fish could prove to be an exciting item in Philippine aquaculture in the years to come. They not only multiply fast, they also grow fast and most of all, their taste is excellent,” he added.

Mr. Piñol said the Red Nile Tilapia can reach up to 15 inches in length and up to 9.5 pounds in weight.

The species can live up to nine years and can flourish in temperatures between 55˚ Fahrenheit and 98˚ Fahrenheit.

In 2015, the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development ( PCAARRD) of the Department of Science and Technology started a three-year program to improve the color and growth potential of the Red Nile Tilapia which could serve as cheaper alternative to marine species.

However, initial findings of the agency showed Red Nile Tilapia grew at a sluggish rate compared to the grey variety.

According to PCAARRD, the red variety was first introduced in the Philippines from Singapore in 1978. —