A Nile tilapia photographed in Nairobi, Kenya.

Nile tilapia at the Snake Park in Nairobi.

Creator: Bjørn Christian Tørrissen

Licence: CC BY-SA 3.0

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Species record

Nile Tilapia

Oreochromis niloticus

Explore the Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) species record in The Ark Is Earth, including classification, habitat, distribution, conservation information, and sources.

Summary

The Nile Tilapia is a freshwater cichlid native to lakes and rivers in Africa. It is widely farmed and introduced elsewhere, including parts of Asia and South America, because it grows quickly and tolerates warm water. Farmed strains are managed for food, while escaped or deliberately released fish can compete with native species.

Classification in this archive

Animals › Chordates › Actinopterygii › Cichliformes › Cichlidae › Oreochromis › Nile Tilapia

Habitat and distribution

Habitat
lakes, rivers, fish farms
Regions in this record
Africa, Asia, South America, Egypt, Uganda, China, Brazil

Conservation field in this record

Least Concern

Did you know?

Nile tilapia parents protect their eggs and young in their mouths.

More images

A Nile tilapia in Carwash Cenote, Quintana Roo, Mexico.

Nile tilapia in Carwash Cenote, Mexico.

Creator: Bernard DUPONT

Licence: CC BY-SA 2.0

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Sources and attribution