Introduction
The Nile tilapia, also known as Oreochromis Niloticus, is a big cichlid fish that can be found throughout the African continent.
It can be found in Egypt all the way down to Central Africa, as its name suggests.
It’s also found in Israel, and it’s been brought to places outside of its natural range, such as South America. The Nile tilapia is also known as the mango fish, which might be confusing because there is another tilapia species called the mango tilapia that is sold commercially.
Cichlids are a type of freshwater fish that belong to the Cichlidae family. They are among the most popular freshwater fish kept as pets. There are at least 1,650 species in this large family, with more being discovered all the time.
Physical Characteristics
Vertical stripes of blue, green, and yellow run the length of the Nile tilapia’s body. Adults can reach a length of 60 cm (two feet) and a weight of 4.3 kg (9.5 pounds). The Nile tilapia may live up to 9 years in slightly salty water and thrives in temperatures ranging from 8 to 42 degrees Celsius.
While the fish is known to eat plankton and aquatic weeds, it is also an omnivore, making it an invasive species in non-native environments. This can be harmful to other animals and ecosystems, which, given its widespread use, could be a problem. It is, as another popular tilapia, the Mozambique tilapia, one of the most widely cultivated cichlids on the planet. It is also generally regarded as one of the best fish for aquaponics systems.
History
Nile tilapia has been cultivated since ancient Egypt, and it has been shown in hieroglyphs dating back thousands of years. They are less noticeable in modern aquaculture (aquaculture is the cultivation of aquatic organisms such as fish) because their flesh has a dark colour that is not as popular with consumers; the Nile tilapia also has a reputation as a “trash” fish and is linked to poverty. Regardless, they develop swiftly and yield excellent fillets. Indeed, the meat of the leucistic, or “red” breeds is lighter and thus more popular. Another option to fulfill these customers’ desires is hybrid reeding, which produces a light-colored hybrid known as “Rocky Mountain White,” which is another option to fulfill these customers’ desires. This strain can withstand lower temperatures than the original Nile tilapia, making it more adaptable to conditions outside of its natural habitat.
The Long Run
And it’s come a long way from where it started. Nile tilapia has only lately been discovered in central Arkansas, in North America. As previously noted, this invasive species has the ability to destroy other aquatic life in the area. For the time being, specialists will have to wait and see how it adapts, reproduces, and competes with natural wildlife. Scientific evidence shows that if Nile tilapia establishes a robust breeding habitat, the foundation for any species’ survival, native fish species are inevitably threatened, and may even become extinct. Human trade has had some unforeseen consequences for wildlife as a result of globalisation.