Tilapia Simulation Model scientific version (TSMsc)

The development of TSMsc is based on expertise on the large scale farming of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in Congo Brazzaville, as obtained by Gertjan de Graaf (Nefisco, Amsterdam, the Netherlands) during a FAO/UNDP aquaculture project. The simulation model has been developed by Pieter Dekker (Xi advies bv) and Gertjan de Graaf, and is built with MATLAB.

As part of the FAO/UNDP aquaculture project Gertjan de Graaf collected a lot of data which has been used to calibrate and verify this model. The present model can simulate mixed culture of Nile tilapia and the integrated farming with predators (African catfish and Snakehead), and gives biological and financial results of the different systems.

The Tilapia model uses the principles of Individual Based modelling; in other words each individual fish is followed during the simulation process. Most aquaculture simulation models are based on nutrient flows and operate with a kind of empirical black box method. Our model differs from this approach, and the mathematics are based on commonly known population dynamics as used in fish stock assessment.

The software can be bought from Xi for €299.- exclusive VAT. Please send an email for further information.

More background information can be found in:

• de Graaf, G.J., Galemoni, F. and Banzoussi, B., 1996, Successful recruitment control of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus by the African catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell 1822) and the African snakehead, Ophiocephalus obscuris, I A biological analyses. Aquaculture 146: 85-100.
• de Graaf, G.J. and Janssen, H., 1996, Artificial reproduction and pond rearing of the African catfish Clarias gariepinus in sub-Saharan Africa, A handbook. FAO Fisheries Technical Paper. No. 362. Rome, FAO, 73 pp.
• de Graaf, G.J., Galemoni, F. and Huisman, E.A., 1999. The reproductive biology of pond reared Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), Aquaculture Research, 30, 25-33.