Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

General data

Main name: Nile tilapia
Climates: Tropical, Arid (desert)
Habitat: Freshwater
Native: Africa, Asia
Introduced: Europe, North America, South America
Distribution: Nile, Niger, Lake Victoria, Lake Tanganyika, Lake Turkana (Rudolf), Lake Albert, View all... Chagres River, Senegal

Classification

Description

The Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is a species of tilapia, a cichlid fish native to the northern half of Africa and the Levante area, including Israel, and Lebanon. Numerous introduced populations exist outside its natural range. It is also commercially known as mango fish, nilotica, or boulti. The first name leads to easy confusion with another tilapia which is traded commercially, the mango tilapia (Sarotherodon galilaeus). Description The Nile tilapia reaches up to 60 cm (24 in) in length,[2] and can exceed 5 kg (11 lb). As typical of tilapia, males reach a larger size and grow faster than females. Wild, natural-type Nile tilapias are brownish or grayish overall, often with indistinct banding on their body, and the tail is vertically striped. When breeding, males become reddish, especially on their fins. Although commonly confused with the blue tilapia (O. aureus), that species lacks the striped tail pattern, has a red edge to the dorsal fin (this edge is gray or black in Nile tilapia), and males are bluish overall when breeding. The two species can also be separated by meristics. Because many tilapia in aquaculture and introduced around the world are selectively bred variants and/or hybrids, identifying them using the standard features that can be used in the wild, natural types often is not possible. The virtually unknown O. ismailiaensis has a plain tail, but otherwise closely resembles (and may only be a variant of) the Nile tilapia. Regardless, O. ismailiaensis might be extinct, as its only known habitat in northeastern Egypt has disappeared, although similar-looking individuals (perhaps the same) are known from the vicinity. Nile tilapia can live for more than 10 years. Range and habitat The Nile tilapia is native to larger parts of Africa, except Maghreb and almost all of Southern Africa. It is native to tropical West Africa, the Lake Chad basin, and much of the Nile system, including lakes Tana, Albert and Edward–George, as well as lakes Kivu, Tanganyika, and Turkana, and the Awash and Omo Rivers. In Israel, it is native to coastal river basins. It has been widely introduced elsewhere, both in Africa and other continents, including tens of countries in Asia, Europe, North America, and South America. In these places, it often becomes highly invasive, threatening the native ecosystems and species. However, some introduced populations historically labelled as Nile tilapia either are hybrids or another species; the Nile tilapia and blue tilapia especially often have been confused. The Nile tilapia can be found in most types of freshwater habitats, such as rivers, streams, canals, lakes, and ponds, and ranging from sea level to an altitude of 1,830 m (6,000 ft). It also occurs in brackish water, but is unable to survive long-term in full salt water. The species has been recorded at water temperatures between 8 and 42 °C (46 and 108 °F), although typically above 13.5 °C (56.5 °F), and the upper lethal limit usually is at 39–40 °C (102–104 °F). Also, some variations occur depending on the population. For example, those in the northern part of its range survive down to the coldest temperatures, while isolated populations in hot springs in the Awash basin and at Suguta River generally live in waters that are at least 32–33 °C (90–91 °F). Although Nile tilapia can survive down to relatively cold temperatures, breeding generally only occurs when the water reaches 24 °C (75 °F).

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->