Blue tilapia (Oreochromis aureus)
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General data

Main name: Blue tilapia
Climates: Tropical, Subtropical
Habitat: Freshwater
Native: Africa, Asia
Introduced: North America, South America
Distribution: Nile, Jordan, Caloosahatchee, Everglades (Florida)

Classification

Description

The blue tilapia (Oreochromis aureus) is a species of tilapia, a fish in the family Cichlidae. Native to Northern and Western Africa, and the Middle East, through introductions it is now also established elsewhere, including parts of the United States, where it has been declared an invasive species and has caused significant environmental damage. It is known as the blue kurper in South Africa. Description In their introduced US range, blue tilapia are usually 120 to 200 millimetres in length, and reach weights up to 5 to 6 lb (2.3 to 2.7 kg).[The largest recorded specimen was more than 21 in (53 cm) long and weighed more than 10 lb (4.5 kg). Blue tilapia are mouthbrooders, and broods range from 160 to 1600 eggs per female. O. aureus is primarily herbivorous, but occasionally consumes zooplankton; the young include small invertebrates in their diet. Range and habitat The blue tilapia is native to Northern and Western Africa, and the Middle East. In Africa, it is native to the Senegal, Niger, Benue and lower Nile Rivers. In the Middle East, it is native to the Jordan River. Through introductions, the fish can be found in the United States in Texas, Alabama, Florida, and Nevada. It has also been established in Central and South America, and Southeast Asia. The original stocks of O. aureus in the United States were from Israel. The blue tilapia is primarily a fresh and brackish water fish that occurs in a wide range of habitats such as streams, rivers, lakes and ponds, but it has a high tolerance for salt water and even hypersaline conditions at up to 4.5% salinity (seawater is about 3.5%). It primarily occurs in waters that range from 12 to 32 °C (54–90 °F), but tolerates between 8 and 40 °C (46–104 °F). Israel In Israel, Oreochromis aureus is also known as Jordan St. Peters fish and was traditionally coming down the Jordan River from Lake Huleh to the Sea of Galilee. It is black and larger than the white Common St. Peters fish or simply St. Peters fish (Coptodon zillii). Another St. Peters fish is the Galilee St. Peters fish (mango tilapia, Sarotherodon galileus), which is white and also larger than C. zillii. Invasive species Oreochromis aureus has been introduced in many places around the world for use as a food fish, and frequently in order to control aquatic vegetation. Its presence may have in many cases been mis-documented as Oreochromis niloticus, because the two species were only recently distinguished. In the United States Since its introduction into Florida in 1961, the fish has increased its range and frequency of occurrence. It is now the most widespread foreign species in Florida, with established populations as far north as Lake Alice, in Gainesville. It is a major management problem for the National Park Service due to its predominance in Taylor Slough in Everglades National Park, where it has changed the fish community structure. The species is also expanding its range in Texas. It was at one time responsible for inhibition of the population of largemouth bass in Lake Trinidad (in Henderson County) until it was extirpated, and is implicated in the unionid mussel declines in two bodies of water in Texas. It is also blamed for a severe decline in native fish populations in Warm Springs Natural Area, Nevada.

Catches

Taxonomy of Fishes

Osteichthyes - Bony fishes->
- Coelacanthi - Lobe-finned fishes->
- Teleostei - Ray-finned fishes->
  - Perciformes - Perches->
  - Cypriniformes - Carps->
  - Esociformes - Pikes->
  - Salmoniformes - Salmons and Trouts->
  - Siluriformes - Catfishes->
  - Scorpaeniformes - Mail-cheeked fishes->
  - Gasterosteiformes - Sticklebacks->
  - Gadiformes - Cods->
  - Anguilliformes - Eels and morays->
  - Clupeiformes - Herrings->
  - Syngnathiformes - Pipefishes and Seahorses->
  - Gobiiformes - Gobies->
  - Mugiliformes - Mullets->
  - Carangiformes - Jacks->
  - Beloniformes - Needlefishes->
  - Labriformes - Wrasses->
  - Scombriformes - Mackerels->
  - Mulliformes - Goatfishes->
  - Pleuronectiformes - Flatfishes->
  - Aulopiformes - Grinners->
  - Blenniiformes - Blennies->
  - Cyprinodontiformes - Toothcarps->
  - Osmeriformes - Smelts->
  - Centrarchiformes - Basses and sunfishes->
  - Cichliformes - Cichlids->
    
    Cichlidae - Cichlids->
    
    Cichla - Peacock cichlids->
    
    Oreochromis - Oreochromis->
    
    Tanganyika tilapia (Oreochromis tanganicae)
    
    Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)
    
    Blue tilapia (Oreochromis aureus)
    
    Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus)
    
    Angolan Tilapia (Oreochromis angolensis)
    
    Common Natron tilapia (Oreochromis alcalicus)
    
    Manyara tilapia (Oreochromis amphimelas)
    
    Three spotted tilapia (Oreochromis andersonii)
    
    Kiungululu tilapia (Oreochromis chungruruensis)
    
    Singida tilapia (Oreochromis esculentus)
    
    Magadi tilapia (Oreochromis grahami)
    
    Lake Chala tilapia (Oreochromis hunteri)
    
    Oreochromis ismailiaensis (Oreochromis ismailiaensis)
    
    Jipe tilapia (Oreochromis jipe)
    
    Karomo (Oreochromis karomo)
    
    Karonga tilapia (Oreochromis karongae)
    
    Korogwe tilapia (Oreochromis korogwe)
    
    Wide-lipped Natron tilapia (Oreochromis latilabris)
    
    Oreochromis lepidurus (Oreochromis lepidurus)
    
    Blue spotted tilapia (Oreochromis leucostictus)
    
    Lidole (Oreochromis lidole)
    
    Longfin tilapia (Oreochromis macrochir)
    
    Malagarasi tilapia (Oreochromis malagarasi)
    
    Kariba tilapia (Oreochromis mortimeri)
    
    Oreochromis mweruensis (Oreochromis mweruensis)
    
    Narrow-mouthed Natron tilapia (Oreochromis ndalalani)
    
    Black tilapia (Oreochromis placidus)
    
    Lake Rukwa tilapia (Oreochromis rukwaensis)
    
    Oreochromis saka (Oreochromis saka)
    
    Oreochromis salinicola (Oreochromis salinicola)
    
    Oreochromis schwebischi (Oreochromis schwebischi)
    
    Shire tilapia (Oreochromis shiranus)
    
    Sabaki tilapia (Oreochromis spilurus)
    
    Kasawala (Oreochromis squamipinnis)
    
    Oreochromis upembae (Oreochromis upembae)
    
    Wami tilapia (Oreochromis urolepis)
    
    Victoria tilapia (Oreochromis variabilis)
    
    Cyphotilapia - Cyphotilapia->
    
    Parachromis - Parachromis->
    
    Astronotus - Oscars->
    
    Nimbochromis - Sleeper cichlids->
    
    Dimidiochromis - Dimidiochromis->
    
    Boulengerochromis - Giant cichlids->
    
    Crenicichla - Crenicichla->
    
    Geophagus - Eartheaters ->
    
    Herichthys - Mexican cichlids->
    
    Amatitlania - Central American cichlids->
    
    Andinoacara - Andinoacara->
    
    Neolamprologus - Neolamprologus->
    
    Mayaheros - Mayaheros->
    
    Thorichthys - Thorichthys->
    
    Sarotherodon - Sarotherodon->
    
    Coptodon - Coptodon->
    
    Pelmatolapia - Pelmatolapia->
    
    Ophthalmotilapia - Ophthalmotilapia->
    
    Xenotilapia - Xenotilapia->
    
    Benthochromis - Benthochromis->
    
    Julidochromis - Julies->
    
    Melanochromis - Melanochromis->
    
    Mikrogeophagus - Ram cichlids->
    
    Abactochromis - Abactochromis->
    
    Acarichthys - Acarichthys->
    
    Acaronia - Acaronia->
    
    Aequidens - Aequidens->
    
    Chaetobranchopsis - Chaetobranchopsis->
    
    Chaetobranchus - Chaetobranchus->
    
    Chuco - Chuco->
    
    Cichlasoma - Cichlasoma->
    
    Allochromis - Allochromis->
    
    Alticorpus - Alticorpus->
    
    Altolamprologus - Altolamprologus->
    
    Amphilophus - Amphilophus->
    
    Anomalochromis - Anomalochromis->
    
    Apistogramma - Apistogramma->
    
    Apistogrammoides - Apistogrammoides->
    
    Archocentrus - Archocentrus->
    
    Aristochromis - Aristochromis->
    
    Astatheros - Astatheros->
    
    Astatoreochromis - Astatoreochromis->
    
    Astatotilapia - Astatotilapia->
    
    Aulonocara - Aulonocara->
    
    Aulonocranus - Aulonocranus->
    
    Australoheros - Australoheros->
    
    Baileychromis - Baileychromis->
    
    Bathybates - Bathybates->
    
    Benitochromis - Benitochromis->
    
    Biotodoma - Biotodoma->
    
    Biotoecus - Biotoecus->
    
    Buccochromis - Buccochromis->
    
    Bujurquina - Bujurquina->
    
    Callochromis - Callochromis->
    
    Caprichromis - Caprichromis->
    
    Caquetaia - Caquetaia->
    
    Cardiopharynx - Cardiopharynx->
    
    Chalinochromis - Chalinochromis->
    
    Champsochromis - Champsochromis->
    
    Cheilochromis - Cheilochromis->
    
    Chetia - Chetia->
    
    Chiapaheros - Chiapaheros->
    
    Chilochromis - Chilochromis->
    
    Chilotilapia - Chilotilapia->
    
    Chindongo - Chindongo->
    
    Chocoheros - Chocoheros->
    
    Chortiheros - Chortiheros->
    
    Chromidotilapia - Chromidotilapia->
    
    Cincelichthys - Cincelichthys->
    
    Diplotaxodon - Diplotaxodon->
    
    Enigmatochromis - Enigmatochromis->
    
    Hemitaeniochromis - Hemitaeniochromis->
    
    Hemitilapia - Hemitilapia->
    
    Cleithracara - Cleithracara->
    
    Coelotilapia - Coelotilapia->
    
    Congochromis - Congochromis->
    
    Congolapia - Congolapia->
    
    Copadichromis - Copadichromis->
    
    Corematodus - Corematodus->
    
    Crenicara - Crenicara->
    
    Cribroheros - Cribroheros->
    
    Cryptoheros - Cryptoheros->
    
    Ctenochromis - Ctenochromis->
    
    Ctenopharynx - Ctenopharynx->
    
    Cunningtonia - Cunningtonia->
    
    Cyathochromis - Cyathochromis->
    
    Cyathopharynx - Cyathopharynx->
    
    Cyclopharynx - Cyclopharynx->
    
    Cynotilapia - Cynotilapia->
    
    Cyprichromis - Cyprichromis->
    
    Cyrtocara - Cyrtocara->
    
    Danakilia - Danakilia->
    
    Darienheros - Darienheros->
    
    Dicrossus - Dicrossus->
    
    Divandu - Divandu->
    
    Docimodus - Docimodus->
    
    Eclectochromis - Eclectochromis->
    
    Ectodus - Ectodus->
    
    Eretmodus - Eretmodus->
    
    Etia - Etia->
    
    Etroplus - Etroplus->
    
    Exochochromis - Exochochromis->
    
    Fossorochromis - Fossorochromis->
    
    Gaurochromis - Gaurochromis->
    
    Genyochromis - Genyochromis->
    
    Gephyrochromis - Gephyrochromis->
    
    Gnathochromis - Gnathochromis->
    
    Gobiocichla - Gobiocichla->
    
    Grammatotria - Grammatotria->
    
    Greenwoodochromis - Greenwoodochromis->
    
    Guianacara - Guianacara->
    
    Gymnogeophagus - Gymnogeophagus->
    
    Haplochromis - Haplochromis->
    
    Haplotaxodon - Haplotaxodon->
    
    Hemibates - Hemibates->
    
    Hemichromis - Hemichromis->
    
    Katria - Katria->
    
    Mesoheros - Mesoheros->
    
    Mesonauta - Mesonauta->
    
    Heroina - Heroina->
    
    Heros - Heros->
    
    Herotilapia - Herotilapia->
    
    Heterochromis - Heterochromis->
    
    Heterotilapia - Heterotilapia->
    
    Hoplarchus - Hoplarchus->
    
    Hypselecara - Hypselecara->
    
    Hypsophrys - Hypsophrys->
    
    Interochromis - Interochromis->
    
    Iodotropheus - Iodotropheus->
    
    Iranocichla - Iranocichla->
    
    Isthmoheros - Isthmoheros->
    
    Kihnichthys - Kihnichthys->
    
    Konia - Konia->
    
    Krobia - Krobia->
    
    Kronoheros - Kronoheros->
    
    Labeotropheus - Labeotropheus->
    
    Labidochromis - Labidochromis->
    
    Laetacara - Laetacara->
    
    Lamprologus - Lamprologus->
    
    Lepidiolamprologus - Lepidiolamprologus->
    
    Lestradea - Lestradea->
    
    Lethrinops - Lethrinops->
    
    Lichnochromis - Lichnochromis->
    
    Limbochromis - Limbochromis->
    
    Limnochromis - Limnochromis->
    
    Limnotilapia - Limnotilapia->
    
    Lithochromis - Lithochromis->
    
    Lobochilotes - Lobochilotes->
    
    Lufubuchromis - Lufubuchromis->
    
    Maskaheros - Maskaheros->
    
    Maylandia - Maylandia->
    
    Mazarunia - Mazarunia->
    
    Mbipia - Mbipia->
    
    Mchenga - Mchenga->
    
    Microchromis - Microchromis->
    
    Otopharynx - Otopharynx->
    
    Oxylapia - Oxylapia->
    
    Paralabidochromis - Paralabidochromis->
    
    Myaka - Myaka->
    
    Mylochromis - Mylochromis->
    
    Naevochromis - Naevochromis->
    
    Nandopsis - Nandopsis->
    
    Nannacara - Nannacara->
    
    Nanochromis - Nanochromis->
    
    Neochromis - Neochromis->
    
    Nyassachromis - Nyassachromis->
    
    Orthochromis - Orthochromis->
    
    Oscura - Oscura->
    
    Palaeoplex - Palaeoplex->
    
    Pallidochromis - Pallidochromis->
    
    Panamius - Panamius->
    
    Paracyprichromis - Paracyprichromis->
    
    Paragobiocichla - Paragobiocichla->
    
    Parananochromis - Parananochromis->
    
    Paraneetroplus - Paraneetroplus->
    
    Paratilapia - Paratilapia->
    
    Paretroplus - Paretroplus->
    
    Pelmatochromis - Pelmatochromis->
    
    Pelvicachromis - Pelvicachromis->
    
    Perissodus - Perissodus->
    
    Petenia - Petenia->
    
    Petrochromis - Petrochromis->
    
    Petrotilapia - Petrotilapia->
    
    Pharyngochromis - Pharyngochromis->
    
    Pterochromis - Pterochromis->
    
    Placidochromis - Placidochromis->
    
    Platytaeniodus - Platytaeniodus->
    
    Plecodus - Plecodus->
    
    Protomelas - Protomelas->
    
    Pseudetroplus - Pseudetroplus->
    
    Pseudocrenilabrus - Pseudocrenilabrus->
    
    Pseudosimochromis - Pseudosimochromis->
    
    Pseudotropheus - Pseudotropheus->
    
    Pterophyllum - Pterophyllum->
    
    Ptychochromis - Ptychochromis->
    
    Ptychochromoides - Ptychochromoides->
    
    Pundamilia - Pundamilia->
    
    Pungu - Pungu->
    
    Pyxichromis - Pyxichromis->
    
    Reganochromis - Reganochromis->
    
    Retroculus - Retroculus->
    
    Rhamphochromis - Rhamphochromis->
    
    Rheoheros - Rheoheros->
    
    Rocio - Rocio->
    
    Rondonacara - Rondonacara->
    
    Sargochromis - Sargochromis->
    
    Tangachromis - Tangachromis->
    
    Tanganicodus - Tanganicodus->
    
    Satanoperca - Satanoperca->
    
    Schwetzochromis - Schwetzochromis->
    
    Sciaenochromis - Sciaenochromis->
    
    Serranochromis - Serranochromis->
    
    Shuja - Shuja->
    
    Simochromis - Simochromis->
    
    Spathodus - Spathodus->
    
    Steatocranus - Steatocranus->
    
    Stigmatochromis - Stigmatochromis->
    
    Stomatepia - Stomatepia->
    
    Symphysodon - Symphysodon->
    
    Taeniacara - Taeniacara->
    
    Taeniochromis - Taeniochromis->
    
    Taeniolethrinops - Taeniolethrinops->
    
    Tahuantinsuyoa - Tahuantinsuyoa->
    
    Talamancaheros - Talamancaheros->
    
    Teleocichla - Teleocichla->
    
    Teleogramma - Teleogramma->
    
    Telmatochromis - Telmatochromis->
    
    Theraps - Theraps->
    
    Thoracochromis - Thoracochromis->
    
    Thysochromis - Thysochromis->
    
    Tilapia - Tilapia->
    
    Tomocichla - Tomocichla->
    
    Tramitichromis - Tramitichromis->
    
    Trematocara - Trematocara->
    
    Trematochromis - Trematochromis->
    
    Trematocranus - Trematocranus->
    
    Trichromis - Trichromis->
    
    Triglachromis - Triglachromis->
    
    Tristramella - Tristramella->
    
    Tropheops - Tropheops->
    
    Tropheus - Tropheus->
    
    Tylochromis - Tylochromis->
    
    Tyrannochromis - Tyrannochromis->
    
    Uaru - Uaru->
    
    Variabilichromis - Variabilichromis->
    
    Vieja - Vieja->
    
    Wajpamheros - Wajpamheros->
    
    Wallaceochromis - Wallaceochromis->
    
    Xenochromis - Xenochromis->
    
    Yssichromis - Yssichromis->
    
    Rubricatochromis - Rubricatochromis->
    
    Pholidichthyidae - Convict blenny->
    
    Polycentridae - Leaffishes->
  - Characiformes - Characins->
  - Osteoglossiformes - Bony tongues->
  - Elopiformes - Tarpons and tenpounders->
  - Anabantiformes - Gouramies and snakeheads->
  - Gymnotiformes - South American knifefish->
  - Istiophoriformes - Barracudas->
  - Albuliformes - Bonefishes->
  - Lepidogalaxiiformes - Salamanderfishes->
  - Lophiiformes - Anglerfishes->
  - Spariformes - Breams and porgies->
  - Trachiniformes - Weeverfishes->
  - Moroniformes - Temperate basses->
  - Acanthuriformes - Surgeonfishes->
  - Zeiformes - Dories->
  - Tetraodontiformes - Puffers and filefishes->
  - Holocentriformes - Squirrelfishes->
  - Dactylopteriformes - Flying gurnards->
  - Lampriformes - Lamprids->
  - Galaxiiformes - Southern smelts->
  - Batrachoidiformes - Toadfishes->
  - Hiodontiformes - Mooneyes->
  - Percopsiformes - Trout-perches->
  - Callionymiformes - Dragonets->
  - Atheriniformes - Silversides->
  - Notacanthiformes - Spiny eels->
  - Saccopharyngiformes - Swallowers and Gulpers->
  - Alepocephaliformes - Slickheads and tubeshoulders->
  - Gonorynchiformes - Milkfishes->
  - Argentiniformes - Marine smelts->
  - Stomiiformes - Lightfishes and dragonfishes->
  - Ateleopodiformes - Jellynose fishes->
  - Myctophiformes - Lanternfishes->
  - Stylephoriformes - Tube-eyes->
  - Polymixiiformes - Beardfishes->
  - Beryciformes - Sawbellies->
  - Trachichthyiformes - Rughies->
  - Ophidiiformes - Cusk-eels->
  - Kurtiformes - Nurseryfishes & Cardinalfishes->
  - Synbranchiformes - Swamp eels->
  - Gobiesociformes - Clingfishes->
  - Acropomatiformes - Oceanic basses->
- Cladistii - Bichirs->
- Dipneusti - Lungfishes->
- Chondrostei - Sturgeons->
- Holostei - Gars and Bowfins->
Chondrichthyes - Cartilaginous fishes->
Agnatha - Jawless fishes->

Blue tilapia (Oreochromis aureus)Follow

General data

Classification

Description

Catches

Taxonomy of Fishes

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Blue tilapia (Oreochromis aureus)
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