Tilapia

Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is one of the most important fish species in aquaculture, can be fed a vegetarian diet, and is considered fast growing with comparatively low environmental requirements. In 2018, 4.5 million tons of Nile tilapia were produced worldwide (FAO, 2020).

China, Indonesia and Egypt are among the leading producing countries. Together, they accounted for three-quarters of the total volume of Nile tilapia produced in 2019. Although tilapia still plays a minor role in German fish consumption, the freshwater fish is already sought after in aquaculture.

Originally from Africa, this warm water fish is extensively to intensively farmed in pond systems, net enclosures, flow-through and recirculating systems.

Sources and detailed scientific information on tilapia can be found at: