Among all tilapia species, Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is the most important identified species in capture fish.
Tilapias have large heads and deep bodies, strongly compressed from side to side. The long dorsal fin is spiny in front and soft-rayed in the hind part, which usually rises to a important in the rear.
The first introduction of tilapia outside Africa was probably the unintentional introduction of O. mossambicus into the Indonesian island of Java prior to 1939.
Other economically important tilapia species, such as O. niloticus, O. aureus, Oreochromis hornorum, S. galilaeus, T, zilli and T. rendalli have also been introduced into various countries.
Tilapia lives in lakes and the sluggish parts of rivers, estuaries and brackish lagoons, especially where there is shelter under banks, among water plants or among water-logged branches.
All tilapia species are nest builders; fertilized eggs are guarded in the nest by a brood parent.
Species of both Sarotherodon and Oreochromis are mouth brooders; eggs are fertilized in the nest but parents immediately pick up the eggs on their limit and hold them through incubation and for several days after hatching.
Tilapia as a group are among the most hardy fishes known They are highly tolerant of crowding and degraded water quality, features which make them excellent candidate for culture.
Other important attributes which the primary cultured species of tilapia share include their fast growth and excellent flavor.
Fish of Tilapia
