The study evaluated the cost of feeding tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in rustic ponds to contribute to the development of small-scale aquaculture in rural and peri-urban areas of the region. The research was carried out at the Farm of the University of Panama. The variables evaluated were the growth of the fish (length and weight), the consumption, and the cost of the food used. The results showed an increase of 111.4% in the total length and 311.2% in the weight of the animals, as well as total consumption of foods of 0.30g/g of the animal's weight, which represented an approximate cost of 0.42 Panamanian balboas/kg, only considering feeding. This suggests that the cultivation of tilapia in rustic ponds is a viable alternative for production with low costs in feeding, which makes it a good option for small farm producers.
