Scientific Name
Oreochromis aureus

Common Name
Blue tilapia

Biology
Cold tolerant (Ref. 23, 61, 55352), occuring at temperatures ranging from 8?-30?C (Ref. 2), tolerating up to 41 ?C (Ref. 23). Tolerates fairly brackish conditions (Ref. 3, 23, 61, 2001, 6465, 54362). Forms schools; is sometimes territorial; inhabits warm ponds and impoundments as well as lakes and streams (Ref. 5723, 11028), in open water as well as among stones and vegetation (Ref. 11028). Feeds on phytoplankton and small quantities of zooplankton (Ref. 3, 61, 6465, 52307). Young fish have a more varied diet which includes large quantities of copepods and cladocerans (Ref. 2, 61, 6465), but they also take pieces of small invertebrates (Ref. 52307). Ovophilic, agamous (Ref. 52307), maternal mouthbrooder (Ref. 364, 52307). Sexual maturity in ponds reached at age of 5-6 months (Ref. 55352). Reproduces in both fresh and brackish water (Ref. 61, 5723). Good taste (Re

Classification

Classified By

Steindachner, 1864

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Perch-like fish (Perciformes)

Family

Cichlids (Cichlidae)

Distribution

Region

Africa and Eurasia

Distribution

Africa and Eurasia: Jordan Valley, Lower Nile, Chad Basin, Benue, middle and upper Niger, Senegal River (Ref. 21). Introduced in the oasis of Azraq (Jordan) as well as in warm water ponds of USA, South and Central America and South East Asia. At least one country reports adverse ecological impact after introduction.

Range

35°N - 10°N

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

8 °C

Water Temperature To

30 °C

Depth From - meters

5 m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

benthopelagic

Environment

Freshwater; brackish; benthopelagic; potamodromous (Ref. 51243); depth range 5 - ? m

Trophic Level

2.069 s.e. 0.14 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

45.7 cm

Common Length

16.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: highly commercial; aquaculture: commercial; aquarium: commercial; bait: usually

Vulnerability

Low to moderate vulnerability (33 of 100)

Resilience

High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (K=0.48-0.58; tm

Threat To Humans

Potential pest (Ref. 6465)

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated