Native of west Africa from Senegal to Chad basin and lower Nile. Also found in Israel and Jordan. Experimentally cultured in Alabama. Has been experimentally bred in the southern United States. Also found in the Salt and Gila rivers and in the network of canals and ditches in farming areas between Phoenix and Yuma.

It is mainly a freshwater species. There is aggressive behavior towards the fishes co-cultured. Omnivorous detritophagus feeding habit. Euryhaline to 54 ppt

In case tilapia it is the profuse breeding which causes problem in the culture conditions giving the status of a weed fish in many regions of the world. It is difficult to stop them breeding. Male will dig the holes in the pond bottom. Females will deposit 75-250 eggs in to the nest and take the eggs in to the mouth. The male will release the sperm, which will be collected by the female, and fertilization will take place inside female’s mouth. Mature at 7.6 cms in 5-6 months. The paired fins may turn aqua-blue during the breeding season, giving the fish its common name. The dorsal and tail fins of mature males are edged with red.

Used as food fish in many parts of the world. It is considered as a Subsistence species in many part of the world due to the lack of much management skills needed for the raising of them. Often stocked in canals and artificial lakes for algae and vegetation control.

Tilapia is cultured as monoculture as well as polyculture in many parts of the world. To control the profuse breeding of the fish monosex culture is generally practiced. Sex reversal by the use of hormones or by the genetic manipulation is generally used. Control of the young ones produced by introduction of predator is found to be effective. The use of floating cages has been found to be effective in controlling the reproduction as they are kept away from the bottom. Tilapia is also used as a filter feeder and an effective weed control measures. It is used as a component in the rice cum fish culture practice.

Bardach, J.E., J.H. Ryther, and W.O. McLarney. 1972. Aquaculture The farming and husbandry of freshwater and marine organisms. John Wiley & Sons New York.

Gray, D. Leroy. Baitfish. Publication 120. Stoneville, MS: Southern Regional Aquaculture Center, Nov. 1988.