AbstractCommercial‐scale production of Florida red tilapia (Oreochromissp.) seed (eggs, sacfry, and fry) under methods that minimized freshwater usage was studied on Lee Stocking Island, Bahamas. Comparisons of seed production by broodstock held in low‐salinity (LS = 5 ppt; mixed rain and ground water) and brackish‐salinity (BS = 18 ppt; mixed ground and sea water) tanks (34 m2) showed that seed production over an 8 month period was significantly greater in LS (77.7 seed/m2/ day) than in BS tanks (47.4 seed/m2/day), with average proportion of brooding females and number of seed per clutch being greater in LS (26.9% and 763) than in BS tanks (19.8% and 643). While LS seed production was among the highest reported values for tilapias, BS production was within reported ranges for fresh and low‐salinity tilapia hatcheries. Seed production per unit of low‐salinity water (i.e., rain and/or groundwater) consumed in both LS (7,262 seed/m3) and BS (5,337 seed/ m3) tanks exceeded reported values. The results support the feasibility of commercial‐scale production of Florida red tilapia seed under intensive methods and of salinities as high as 18 ppt in regions where fresh or low‐salinity water resource