Native to Zanzibar and East Coast of Africa. Introduced to Malaysia and Costa Rica.

Small number of gill rackers suggests that they are not phytoplankton feeder. There is wide range in the salinity tolerance.

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.

Growth is dependent on the stocking density and availability of food. It will reach a size of 850 grams in 1 year and 450 grams in brackish water. If the males and females are stocked together the size attained would be 85-140 grams in 1 year.

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.