Nile “Tilapia”

South Santee Aquaculture, Inc. has been

raising Tilapia in South Carolina since 1989
Oreochromis niloticus niloticus for food fish, floating aquatic plant control,
(Nile Tilapia) (duckweed) and algae control.
Photo: Kevin Hutchinson, CEO-Fishery Biologist
Family: Cichlidae (Cichlids), subfamily:
Pseudocrenilabrinae
Order: Perciformes (perch-like)
Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Fish name: Nile tilapia
Max. size: Published weight: 4,324 g. max.
reported age: 9 years.
The average size that South Santee
Aquaculture, Inc. sells for food fish
is 1-2 lbs. The fish are also used for
continual algae and aquatic floating
plant control in ponds. The fish are
usually stocked between 3-6
inches. The average stocking sizes
are around a ¼ lb. each.
Environment benthopelagic; potamodromous; freshwater; brackish water
can tolerate no more than 14 ppt; depth range is usually no more than 15 feet.
Climate: tropical; 14 – 33°C (58 - 88.8 °F); 32°N - 10°N
Importance fisheries: highly commercial; aquaculture: commercial; price category:
Food Fish price is $3.65 per lb. For algae control stocking is $1.60-$2.60 per
Growth: Tilapia can grow up to 1.7 lbs. in 1 year using 32- 46 % protein feed.
Distribution Africa: coastal rivers of Israel; Nile from below Albert Nile to the delta; Jebel
Marra; Lake Chad basin and the rivers Niger, Benue, Volta, Gambia and
Senegal. Widely introduced for aquaculture, with many existing strains. Several
countries report adverse ecological impact after introduction.
Morphology: Dorsal spines (total): 16 - 18; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12 - 13; Anal spines: 3;
Anal soft rays: 9 – 11; Vertebrae: 30 – 32. Genital papilla of breeding male not
tassellated. Jaws of mature male not greatly enlarged (length of lower jaw 29-37
% of head length). The most distinguishing characteristic of the species is the
presence of regular vertical stripes throughout the depth of caudal fin. Margin of
dorsal fin grey or black. Vertical bars in caudal fin 7-12.
Biology: Occurs in a wide variety of freshwater habitats like rivers, lakes, sewage canals
and irrigation channels. Mainly diurnal. Feeds mainly on phytoplankton or
benthic algae. Marketed fresh and frozen or live. Oviparous. Mouthbrooding by
females. Extended temperature range is 8 - 42°Cۜ (46.4-108.4° F), natural
temperature range 14 - 33 °C (58-88.8° F). Optimal breeding is 86° F.