Where I live, tilapia will tolerate winters most years, but I have noticed that they don eat very much when the water gets cool. Whats with that?
Fish are cold-blooded animals. Their rate of metabolism is controlled by the temperature of the water. Some fishes, like trout, are called coldwater species. They perform best when the water temperature is below about 65°F. Tilapia and most aquarium fishes are native to tropical environments and are called warmwater species. They grow best when the water temperature is 80°F or higher. When the water cools in the fall, the metabolic rate of tilapia slows and they consume much less feed than when at their optimum temperature. At some point, they will quit feeding altogether if the water gets too cool. So, if your climate supports tilapia survival in the winter, don’t be surprised if they eat little or nothing during the coldest weather.
