Tilapia

Production Management For Thirteen (13) Tank System

Tanks #1: 36,000 Fingerlings every 2 months from the hatchery. After 2 months they average .064 pounds.

Tanks #2 & #3: 18,000 fish in each tank. After 2 months they average .309 pounds.

Tanks #4 – #7: 9,000 fish in each tank. After 2 months they average .743 pounds.

Tanks #8 – #13: 6,000 fish in each tank. After 2 months they average 1.25 pounds. Harvest 6 aquaculture tanks at 7,500 pounds per tank 6 times a year or 270,000 pounds per year.

Note: This management technique is one that has been used for decades called “Stock Splitting”. Fingerlings are contracted from a hatchery for a ten week delivery schedule or ponds are installed for the facilities own production.

Operation Cost For Thirten (13) Tank System

Electric: $1,800. per month with an electric rate of $0.10 per KWH or $21,600 per year.

Fingerlings: 216,000 fish at $0.10 each = $21,600 per year.

Food: 270,000 pounds of fish x 1.3 FCR x $0.32 per pound of food = $112,320 per year.

Heat: 10,000 SQFT building heated with waste motor oil at $0.50 per gallon using 3,000 gallons per year = $1,500 per year

Property Tax: $2,500 per year.

Sewer Tax: $5,800 per year.

Insurance: Building and Fish Mortality = $8,000 per year.

Miscellaneous: Soda Ash, Salt, Testing Chemicals = $15,000 per year.

Labor: Part time 20 hours per week (grading and harvest) $10.00 per hour or $10,400 per year.

Total Annual Cost: $200,270 (cost per pound $0.74)

Average Selling Price: $2.25 per pound x 270,000 pounds per year = $607,500 per year.

Net Profit: $607,500 – $200,270 = $407,230

Note: These cost and production data are shown as an example of operating an aquaculture tank facility. Actual results may vary from state to state due to food cost, electric rate, insurance, labor and sale price which will effect the business profitability.