Native to Rhodesia. Cultured all over South East Asia and Africa. Most widely cultured tilapia Species. Introduced to many parts of the world like Japan and USA.

Reported to be a plankton feeder can tolerate extremes of water quality parameters like salinity and pH. Fed mainly on vegetable matter but can feed on animal matter also. Salinity tolerance is very wide and can even breed in seawater. Temperature tolerance limit is from 9^oC below which it will die. Upper lethal temperature is 39^oC. It is found to be aggressive towards other fishes, so not well suited for polyculture.

Mature at 12-14 cms. at the age of 2-3 months. Breeds even at 35 ppt salinity. Large nest with a diameter of 30-35 cm.

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.

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.