Taxonomy
- Tilapia as a common name has been applied to over a hundred species of cichlids from three distinct genera: Oreochromis, Sarotherodon and Tilapia.
Species
of Commercial Interest
- Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)
- Blue Tilapia (Oreochromis aureus)
- Mozambique Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus)
- Blue-Nile Hybrid
Distribution
- Tilapia (Oreochromis spp.) exhibit maximum growth rates at temperatures between 25 and 30°C, making them more suited to tropical climates. However, tolerance to water temperature and to salinity varies greatly between species. Nile tilapia (O. niloticus) are the least cold tolerant of the farmed tilapia and prefer tropical to subtropical climates. Blue tilapia (O. aureus) is able to tolerate temperatures as low as 8-9°C, making it more likely to establish in countries with pronounced seasonal temperature variations.
- Historically, tilapia's native range included tropical and subtropical Africa and Middle East, including Senegal, Niger, and many smaller drainages and lakes. As such, many tilapia fisheries were originally found in Africa,but outdoor fish farms in tropical countries, such as Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, and Indonesia, are underway in freshwater lakes. China is the largest tilapia producer in the world, followed by Egypt. Blue Tilapia (Oreochromis aureus) can be found in Florida, Alabama, and Texas. Other tilapia species, many of which formed hybrids, are established in southern California.
Biology
- Tilapia usually inhabit freshwater habitats, but some species and hybrids are known to be highly euryhaline (capable of tolerating a wide range of salt water concentrations).
Sustainability
- IUCN Red List Status:
Blue Tilapia → Least Concern(LC)
Mozambique Tilapia → Near Threatened(NT)
- MBA Seafood Watch:
Potential
Health Concerns
- No notable health concerns at present
