Bony fish · Perciformes · Cichlidae
Nile Tilapia
Oreochromis niloticus
The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk. See full glossary
Weight
2.4 kg on average
Size
up to 60 cm
Lifespan
9 years
Diet
Omnivore
Combines animal and plant food depending on availability.
Activity
Diurnal
Active mainly during the day.
Sighting difficulty
Easy
Fun facts
- It is a maternal mouthbrooder: the female takes the fertilised eggs into her mouth, and the fry retreat back into it if they feel threatened.
- It is the most widely farmed tilapia in the world, and its invasiveness has led countries such as South Africa, Malawi and Zambia to ban further releases.
Life cycle & biology
- Skeleton type
- Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (bony fish)
- Habitat & environment
- Rivers, lakes, irrigation canals and brackish water in Africa, in the Nile, Senegal, Gambia, Volta, Niger, Benue and Chad basins; it tolerates 8 to 42 °C but not sea water
- Sexual maturity
- Length at first maturity 18.6 cm (range 6-28 cm); in the wild it breeds from 20-30 cm
- Gestation / incubation
- The female broods the eggs in her mouth for one or two weeks
Sources consulted: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oreochromis_niloticus
Where to find it
See its range on the interactive mapRelated species
Other species in the catalogue with the most in common with Nile Tilapia — same habitat, park, country, tags or family.
Angelfish
Pterophyllum scalare
Midas Cichlid
Amphilophus citrinellus
Green Discus
Symphysodon aequifasciatus
Oscar
Astronotus ocellatus
Zebra Mbuna
Maylandia zebra
Convict Cichlid
Amatitlania nigrofasciata
Keep exploring
Based on what we already know about nile tilapia.
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