Wiki Aquaculture of Tilapia Tilapia has become the third most important fish in aquaculture after carps and

salmonids, with production reaching 1,505,804 metric tons in 2002.[1] Because of their large size, rapid growth(6 to 7 months to grow to harvest size[2]), and palatability, a number of tilapiine cichlids are at the focus of major aquaculture efforts, specifically various species of Oreochromis, Sarotherodon, and Tilapia, collectively known colloquially as tilapias. Like other large fish, they are a good source of protein and a popular target for artisanal and commercial fisheries. Originally, the majority of such fisheries were in Africa, but accidental and deliberate introductions of tilapia into freshwater lakes in Asia have led to outdoor aquaculturing projects in countries with a tropical climate such as Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, and Indonesia.[1] In temperate zone localities, tilapiine farming operations require energy to warm the water to the tropical temperatures these fish require. One method involves warming the water using waste heat from factories and power stations.[3] Tilapiines are also among the easiest and most profitable fish to farm. This is due to their omnivorous diet, mode of reproduction (the fry do not pass through a planktonic phase), tolerance of high stocking density, and rapid growth. In some regions the fish can be put out in the rice fields when rice is planted, and will have grown to edible size (1215 cm, 56 inches) when the rice is ready for harvest. One recent estimate for the FAO puts annual production of tilapia at about 1.5 million tonnes, a quantity comparable to the annual production of farmed salmon and trout.[2] Unlike salmon, which rely on high-protein feeds based on fish or meat, commercially important tilapiine species eat a vegetable or cereal-based diet. Tilapias raised in inland tanks or channels are considered safe for the environment, since their waste and disease should be contained and not spread to the wild.[4] Set against their value as food, tilapiines have acquired notoriety as being among the most serious invasive species in many subtropical and tropical parts of the world. For example Oreochromis aureus, Oreochromis mossambicus, Sarotherodon melanotheron melanotheron, Tilapia mariae, and Tilapia zilli have all become established in the southern United States, particularly in Florida and Texas.[5] Commercially grown tilapia are almost exclusively male. Being prolific breeders, female tilapia in the ponds/tanks will result in large populations of small fish. Whole Tilapia fish can be processed into skinless, boneless (PBO) fillets: the yield is from 30% to 37%, depending on fillet size and final trim.[6] Nutritional value Tilapia have very low levels of mercury[7] as they are fast-growing and short-lived with a primarily vegetarian diet, and thus do not accumulate mercury found in prey.[8] Tilapia is a lowsaturated-fat, low-calorie, low-carbohydrate and low-sodium protein source. It is a source of phosphorus, niacin, selenium, vitamin B12 and potassium. However, farm-raised tilapia (the least expensive and most popular) has a high fat content (though low in saturated fats). According to research published in July 2008, farm-raised tilapia may be worse for the heart than eating bacon or a hamburger. The research suggests the nutritional value of farm-raised tilapia may be compromised by the amount of corn included in the feed. The corn contains short-chain omega-6s that contribute to the buildup of these materials in the fish. "Ratios of long-chain omega-6 to long-chain omega-3, AA to EPA respectively, in tilapia averaged about 11:1, compared to much less than 1:1 (indicating more EPA than AA) in both salmon and trout." Widespread publicity encouraging people to eat more fish has seen

tilapia being purchased by those with lower incomes who are trying to eat a well-balanced diet. The lower amounts of omega-3 and the higher ratios of omega-6 compounds in US farmed tilapia raise questions of the health benefits of consuming this fish.[9] Adequate diets for salmon and other carnivorous fish can alternatively be formulated from protein sources such as soy, although soy-based diets may also change in the balance between omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids.[10] Around the world Tilapia as a food fish. Apart from the very few species found in the Levant, such as the Middle Eastern mango tilapia, there are no tilapiine cichlids endemic to Asia. However, species originally from Africa have been widely introduced and have become economically important as food fish in many countries. China, the Philippines, Taiwan, Indonesia and Thailand are the leading suppliers and these countries altogether produced about 1.1 million metric tonnes of fish in 2001, constituting about 76% of the total aquaculture production of tilapia worldwide.[1] Taiwan In Taiwan, tilapiine cichlids are also known as the "South Pacific crucian carp," and since their introduction, have spread across aquatic environments all over the island. Introduced in 1946, tilapiine cichlids made a considerable economic contribution, not only by providing the Taiwanese people with food, but also by allowing the island's fish farmers to break into key markets such as Japan and the United States. Indeed, tilapiine cichlids have become an important farmed fish in Taiwan for both export and domestic consumption.[11] The Chinese name for the fish in Taiwan is "Wu-Kuo" () and was created from the surnames of Wu Chen-hui () and Kuo Chi-chang (), who introduced the fish into Taiwan from Singapore. The Taiwan tilapia is a hybrid of Oreochromis mossambicus and Oreochromis niloticus niloticus. In mainland China, it is called Luofei fish (), named after the origin of this fish: the Nile and Africa (niLUO and FEIzhou in Chinese respectively). Thailand Known in Thai language as pla taptim (Thai: niloticus is very popular in Thai cuisine.[12] ), the tilapia Oreochromis

Thailand has its share of fish farms and fish pens devoted to the culture of tilapia species. In March 2007, millions of caged tilapia in the Chao Praya river died as the result of a massive fish kill. The cause for this was determined to be oxygen deprivation on a massive scale, one of the causes for fish kills.[13] [edit] Philippines In the Philippines, several species of tilapia have been introduced into local waterways and farmed for food. Tilapia fish pens are a common sight in almost all the major rivers and lakes in the country, including Laguna de Bay, Taal Lake and Lake Buhi.[citation needed] Locally, tilapia are also known as Pla-Pla. Tilapiine cichlids have many culinary purposes, including fried, grilled, sinigang (a sour soup using tamarind, guava, calamansi or other natural ingredients as a base), paksiw (similar to sinigang only it uses vinegar) and many more recipes. On January 11, 2008, the Cagayan Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) stated that tilapia production grew and Cagayan Valley is now the Philippines tilapia capital.

Production supply grew 37.25% since 2003, with 14,000 metric tons (MT) in 2007. The recent aquaculture congress found that the growth of tilapia production was due to government interventions: provision of fast-growing species, accreditation of private hatcheries to ensure supply of quality fingerlings, establishment of demonstration farms, providing free fingerlings to newly constructed fishponds, and the dissemination of tilapia to Nueva Vizcaya (in Diadi town). Former cycling champion Lupo Alava is a multi-awarded tilapia raiser in Bagabag, Nueva Vizcaya. Chairman Thompson Lantion of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, a retired two-star police general, has fishponds in La Torre, Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya. Also, Nueva Vizcaya Gov. Luisa Lloren Cuaresma also entered into similar aquaculture endeavors in addition to tilapia production.[14] Indonesia In Indonesia, tilapia are known as Ikan Nila. Tilapia introduced firstly to Indonesia in 1969 from Taiwan. Later several species also introduced from Thailand (Nila Chitralada),Philippines (Nila GIFT) and Japan (Nila JICA). Tilapia has become popular with local fish farmers because they are easy to farm and grow fast. Major tilapia production areas are in West Java and North Sumatra. In 2006, Badan Pengkajian dan Penerapan Teknologi (Agency for the Assessment & Application of Technology) and Balai Besar Pengembangan Budidaya Air Tawar (Main Center for Freshwater Aquaculture Development, MCFAD), Indonesian government research, development and introduced a new species named "genetically supermale Indonesian tilapia" (GESIT). GESIT fish is genetically engineered to hatch eggs that will produce 98% - 100% male tilapia. It's will benefit fish farmer to farm tilapia with monosex culture (all male) that is more productive. Now, there are around 14 strains of ikan nila, since contribution from research institutes including MCFAD. United States In the United States, the geographic range for tilapia culture is limited by the temperaturesensitivity of tilapia. For optimal growth the ideal water temperature range is 8286 F, and growth is reduced greatly below 68 F. Death occurs below 50 F. Therefore, only the southernmost states are suitable for tilapia production. In the southern region, tilapia can be held in cages from 5 to 12 months per year, depending on location.[15] There were 1.5 million tons of tilapia produced in the US in 2005, with 2.5 million tons projected by 2010.[9] See also Tilapiine cichlid Tilapia Tilapia as exotic species Genus Tilapia Genus Sarotherodon Genus Oreochromis Bibliography Tilapia, ITIS Standard Report. (2004-05-11) Tilapias as alien aquatics in Asia and the Pacific: a review FAO report Managing Iowa Fisheries: Tilapia Culture in Iowa The effects of introduced tilapias on native biodiversity Another Side of Tilapia, The Perfect Factory Fish References

^ a b Fessehaye, Yonas (2006) (PDF). Natural mating in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) Implications for reproductive success, inbreeding and cannibalism. Wageningen: Wageningen UR. pp. 150 pp.. ISBN 90-8504-540-1. ^ http://www.gaalliance.org/newsroom/aquasolutions-detail.php?Prison-AquacultureProgram-11 ^ GO FISH, Egyptian Style - Ag Innovation News ^ Rogers, Paul. "Economy of Scales". Stanford Magazine (Stanford Alumni Association) (March / April 2006). Retrieved 2008-02-13. ^ Non-Native Aquatic Species Summaries ^ Commercial rasied and processed Tilapia ^ Mercury Levels in Commercial Fish and Shellfish, USFDA, May 2001; Updated February 2006 ^ http://www.eattilapia.com/nutritional-facts.php ^ a b Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center (2008, July 10). Popular Fish, Tilapia, Contains Potentially Dangerous Fatty Acid Combination. ScienceDaily. Retrieved July 11, 2008, from www.sciencedaily.com ^ Espe, M., A. Lemme, A. Petei, and A. El-Mowafi. 2006. Can Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) grow on diets devoid of fish meal? Aquaculture 255:255-262 ^ Taiwan Tilapia Alliance ^ Recipes for Taptim Fish ^ "Up to one million fish found dead in Thai river". Yahoo! News (Yahoo!, Inc.). 2007-03-13. Archived from the original on 2007-03-19. Retrieved 2007-03-13. ^ Abs-Cbn Interactive, Cagayan Valley countrys tilapia capital ^ Andrew S. McGinty, A.S. And Rakocy, J.E. Cage Culture of Tilapia Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, SRAC 281 [edit]