Tilapia

freshwater fish · Africa · aquaculture · cichlids

Native to Africa. Tilapia come from Africa and the Middle East, living in shallow streams, ponds, rivers, and lakes where the water stays warm.

Many species exist. There are nearly a hundred different species of tilapia, all belonging to a fish family called cichlids. They're all related but have different sizes and colors.

Farm fish superstars. Tilapia are now raised on fish farms around the world because they grow fast and are easy to farm, making them one of the most important food fish for people everywhere.

Invasive troublemakers. When tilapia are introduced to warm places like Australia where they don't belong, they can become invasive and cause problems for native fish. However, they can't survive in cold water, so they stay put in warm climates.

Freshwater specialists. Most tilapia live in freshwater, though some can handle slightly salty water called brackish water. They really need warm conditions to thrive.