Species of fish
Nile tilapia
|
|
|
Wild type
above,
aquacultured
type (likely of
hybrid
origin) below
|
|
|
Scientific classification
|
Domain:
|
Eukaryota
|
Kingdom:
|
Animalia
|
Phylum:
|
Chordata
|
Class:
|
Actinopterygii
|
Order:
|
Cichliformes
|
Family:
|
Cichlidae
|
Genus:
|
Oreochromis
|
Species:
|
O. niloticus
|
Binomial name
|
Oreochromis niloticus
|
Synonyms
|
- Tilapia crassispina
Arambourg
, 1948
- Perca nilotica
Linnaeus, 1758
- Chromis nilotica
(Linnaeus, 1758)
- Chromis niloticus
(Linnaeus, 1758)
- Oreochromis nilotica
(Linnaeus, 1758)
- Oreochromis niloticus niloticus
(Linnaeus, 1758)
- Sarotherodon niloticus
(Linnaeus, 1758)
- Tilapia nilotica
(Linnaeus, 1758)
- Tilapia nilotica nilotica
(Linnaeus, 1758)
- Chromis guentheri
Steindachner
, 1864
- Tilapia eduardiana
Boulenger
, 1912
- Oreochromis niloticus eduardianus
(Boulenger, 1912)
- Tilapia nilotica eduardiana
Boulenger, 1912
- Tilapia cancellata
Nichols
, 1923
- Oreochromis cancellatus cancellatus
(Nichols, 1923)
- Oreochromis niloticus cancellatus
(Nichols, 1923)
- Tilapia nilotica cancellata
Nichols, 1923
- Tilapia calciati
Gianferrari
, 1924
- Tilapia regani
Poll
, 1932
- Tilapia nilotica regani
Poll, 1932
- Tilapia inducta
Trewavas
, 1933
- Tilapia vulcani
Trewavas, 1933
- Oreochromis niloticus vulcani
(Trewavas, 1933)
- Oreochromis vulcani
(Trewavas, 1933)
- Oreochromis niloticus baringoensis
Trewavas, 1983
- Oreochromis niloticus filoa
Trewavas, 1983
- Oreochromis cancellatus filoa
Trewavas, 1983
- Oreochromis niloticus sugutae
Trewavas, 1983
- Oreochromis niloticus tana
Seyoum & Kornfield, 1992
|
The
Nile tilapia
(
Oreochromis niloticus
) is a species of
tilapia
, a
cichlid fish
native to parts of
Africa
and the
Levant
, particularly
Israel
and
Lebanon
.
[2]
Numerous
introduced populations
exist outside its natural range.
[1]
[3]
It is also commercially known as
mango fish
(not to be confused with
mango tilapia
, or
Sarotherodon galilaeus
),
nilotica
, or
boulti
.
[4]
Description
The Nile tilapia reaches up to 60 cm (24 in) in length,
[2]
and can exceed 5 kg (11 lb).
[5]
As typical of tilapia, males reach a larger size and grow faster than females.
[5]
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.
[5]
[6]
It is commonly confused with the
blue tilapita
(
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
.
[6]
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 is often not possible.
[6]
The virtually unknown
O. ismailiaensis
has a plain tail, but otherwise closely resembles (and may only be a variant of) the Nile tilapia.
[7]
Regardless,
O. ismailiaensis
might be extinct, as its only known habitat in northeastern
Egypt
has disappeared,
[8]
although similar-looking individuals (perhaps the same) are known from the vicinity.
[7]
Nile tilapia can live for more than 10 years.
[5]
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.
[1]
[2]
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.
[1]
[2]
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.
[6]
In
India
, especially in the southern state of
Tamil Nadu
, the Nile Tilapia was introduced by
K. Kamaraj
, the then
Chief Minister
and has become a threat to the native fish species hence.
[9]
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).
[1]
[2]
It also occurs in
brackish
water, but is unable to survive long-term in full salt water.
[2]
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),
[2]
and the upper lethal limit usually is at 39?40 °C (102?104 °F).
[1]
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).
[8]
Although Nile tilapia can survive down to relatively cold temperatures,
breeding
generally only occurs when the water reaches 24 °C (75 °F).
[5]
Subspecies
Although
FishBase
considers the species as
monotypic
,
[2]
several distinctive populations often are recognized as valid
subspecies
:
[1]
[8]
[10]
- O. n. niloticus
(Linnaeus, 1758)
? most of species' range
- O. n. baringoensis
Trewavas, 1983
?
Lake Baringo
in Kenya
- O. n. cancellatus
(Nichols, 1923)
? Awash basin in Ethiopia
- O. n. eduardianus
(Boulenger, 1912)
?
Albertine Rift Valley lakes
- O. n. filoa
Trewavas, 1983
? hot springs in Awash basin in Ethiopia
- O. n. sugutae
Trewavas, 1983
? Karpeddo soda springs at Suguta River in Kenya
- O. n. tana
Seyoum & Kornfield, 1992
? Lake Tana in Ethiopia
- O. n. vulcani
Trewavas, 1933
? Lake Turkana in Ethiopia and Kenya
While the species is overall very widespread and common, the
IUCN
considers
O. n. baringoensis
as
endangered
,
O. n. sugutae
as
vulnerable
, and
O. n. filoa
as
data deficient
.
[1]
A population found in
Lake Bogoria
appears to be an
undescribed
subspecies.
[8]
The forms referred to as
Oreochromis
(or
Tilapia
)
nyabikere
and
kabagole
seem to belong to this species, too. An undescribed population found at, for example,
Wami River
,
Lake Manyara
, and
Tingaylanda
seems to be a close relative.
[11]
Behavior
Feeding
The Nile tilapia is mostly a
herbivore
, but with
omnivorous
tendencies, especially when young.
[2]
They mostly feed on
phytoplankton
and
algae
, and in some populations other
macrophytes
also are important.
[1]
Other recorded food items are
detritus
and aquatic insect
larvae
,
[2]
including those of
mosquitoes
, making it a possible tool in the fight against
malaria
in
Africa
.
[12]
However, when introduced outside its native range, it often becomes
invasive
, threatening more localized species.
[2]
The Nile tilapia typically feeds during daytime, which suggests that, similar to
trout
and
salmon
, it exhibits a behavioral response to light as a main factor contributing to feeding activity. Due to its fast reproductive rate, however, overpopulation often results within groups of Nile tilapia. To obtain the necessary nutrients, night feeding may also occur due to competition for food during daylight. A recent study found evidence that, contrary to popular belief, size
dimorphism
between the sexes results from differential food conversion efficiency rather than different amounts of food consumed. Hence, although males and females eat equal amounts of food, males tend to grow larger due to a higher efficiency of converting food to body
weight
.
[13]
Social organization
Groups of Nile tilapia establish social
hierarchies
in which the dominant males have priority for both food and
mating
. Circular
nests
are built predominantly by males through mouth digging to become future
spawning sites
. These nests often become sites of intense
courtship
rituals
and
parental care
.
[14]
Like other fish, Nile tilapia travel almost exclusively in
schools
. Although males settle down in their crafted nesting zones, females travel between zones to find mates, resulting in competition between the males for females.
[
citation needed
]
Like other tilapias, such as
Mozambique tilapia
, dominance between the males is established first through noncontact displays such as lateral display and tail beats. Unsuccessful attempts to reconcile the hierarchy results in contact fighting to inflict injuries. Nile tilapia have been observed to modify their fighting behavior based upon experiences during development. Thus, experience in a certain form of
agonistic behavior
results in differential aggressiveness among individuals.
[15]
Once the social hierarchy is established within a group, the dominant males enjoy the benefits of both increased access to food and an increased number of mates. However, social interactions between males in the presence of females results in higher energy expenditures as a consequence of courtship displays and sexual competition.
[13]
Reproduction
Typical of most fish, Nile tilapia reproduce through mass
spawning
of a brood within a nest made by the male. In such an arrangement,
territoriality
and
sexual competition
amongst the males lead to large variations in reproductive success for individuals in a group. The genetic consequence of such behavior is reduced genetic variability in the long run, as
inbreeding
is likely to occur among different generations due to differential male reproductive success.
[16]
Perhaps driven by reproductive competition, tilapias reproduce within a few months after birth. The relatively young age of sexual maturation within Nile tilapia leads to high birth and turnover rates. Consequently, the rapid reproductive rate of individuals can actually have a negative impact on growth rate, leading to the appearance of stunted tilapia as a result of a reduction in somatic growth in favor of sexual maturation.
[17]
Female Nile tilapia, in the presence of other females either visually or chemically, exhibit shortened interspawning intervals. Although
parental investment
by a female extends the interspawning period, female tilapia that abandon their young to the care of a male gain this advantage of increased interspawning periods. One of the possible purposes behind this mechanism is to increase the reproductive advantage of females that do not have to care for young, allowing them more opportunities to spawn.
[18]
For males, reproductive advantage goes to the more dominant males. Males have differential levels of
gonadotropic
hormones responsible for
spermatogenesis
, with dominant males having higher levels of the hormone. Thus, selection has favored larger sperm production with more successful males. Similarly, dominant males have both the best territory in terms of resources and the greatest access to mates.
[19]
Furthermore, visual communication between Nile tilapia mates both stimulates and modulates reproductive behavior between partners such as
courtship
, spawning frequency, and nest building.
[14]
Parental care
Species belonging to the genus
Oreochromis
typically care for their young through
mouthbrooding
, oral incubation of the eggs and larvae. Similar to other tilapia, Nile tilapia are maternal mouthbrooders and extensive care is, therefore, provided almost exclusively by the female. After
spawning
in a nest made by a male, the young
fry
or eggs are carried in the mouth of the mother for a period of 12 days. Sometimes, the mother pushes the young back into her mouth if she believes they are not ready for the outside. Nile tilapias also demonstrate parental care in times of danger. When approached by a danger, the young often swim back into the protection of their mother's mouth.
[20]
However, mouthbrooding leads to significant metabolic modifications for the parents, usually the mother, as reflected by fluctuations in body weight and low
fitness
. Thus, parental-offspring conflict can be observed through the costs and benefits of mouthbrooding. Protection of the young ensures passage of an individual's genes into the future generations, but caring for the young also reduces an individual's own reproductive fitness.
[17]
Since female Nile tilapia exhibiting parental care show extended interspawning periods, one of the benefits is slowing down
vitellogenesis
(yolk deposition) to increase the survival rate of one's own young. The size of spawned eggs correlates directly with advantages concerning hatching time, growth, survival, and onset of feeding, since increased egg size means increased nutrients for the developing young. Thus, one of the reasons behind a delayed interspawning period by female Nile tilapia may be for the benefit of offspring survival.
[18]
[21]
Aquaculture
Tilapia, likely the Nile tilapia, was well known as food fish in
Ancient Egypt
and commonly featured in their art (paintings and sculptures). This includes a 4000-year-old tomb illustration that shows them in man-made ponds, likely an early form of
aquaculture
.
[5]
[22]
In modern aquaculture,
wild-type
Nile tilapia are not farmed very often because the dark color of their flesh is undesirable for many customers, and because of the reputation the fish has as being a
trash fish
.
[23]
However, they are fast-growing and produce good
fillets
;
leucistic
("red") breeds which have lighter meat have been developed to counter the consumer distaste for darker meat.
[
citation needed
]
Hybrid
stock is also used in aquaculture; Nile ×
blue tilapia
hybrids are usually rather dark, but a light-colored hybrid breed known as "Rocky Mountain White" tilapia is often grown due to its very light flesh and tolerance of low temperatures.
[23]
As food
The red-hybrid Nile tilapia is known in the
Thai language
as
pla thapthim
(
Thai
:
?????????
), meaning "
pomegranate
fish" or "
ruby
fish".
[24]
This type of tilapia is very popular in
Thai cuisine
, where it is prepared in a variety of ways.
[25]
The black-and-white-striped tilapia
pla nin
(
Thai
:
??????
), has darker flesh and is commonly either salted and grilled or deep-fried, and it can also be steamed with lime (
pla nin nueng manao
).
[26]
Nile tilapia, called
????
bul??
in
Arabic
, is (being native to Egypt) among the most common fish in
Egyptian cuisine
, and probably the most common in regions far from the coast. It is generally either battered and pan-fried whole (
???? ????
bul?? maql?
[b?lt?iː ma?liː]
) or grilled whole (
???? ????
bul?? mashw?
[b?lt?iː ma?wiː]
). Like other fish in Egypt, is generally served with
rice
cooked with onions and other seasonings to turn it red.
[
citation needed
]
In
Israel
, Nile tilapia is commonly fried, grilled or baked with vegetables herbs and spices and eaten with
rice
or
bulgur
pilafs. It is also baked in the oven with tahini sauce drizzled over it with
potatoes
,
onions
,
asparagus
, sweet peppers or
tomatoes
and flavored with sumac and dried mint.
[
citation needed
]
Tilapia, often farmed, is a popular and common supermarket fish in the United States.
[
citation needed
]
In India, Nile tilapia is the most dominant fish in some of the South Indian reservoirs and available throughout the year.
O. niloticus
grows faster and reaches bigger sizes in a given time. The littoral areas of Kelavarappalli Reservoir are full of nests of Nile tilapia and they breed during south-west monsoon (July?September). The fish mainly feed on detritus. Zooplankton, phytoplankton, and macrophytes also were recorded occasionally from the gut of Nile tilapia. The demand is heavy, especially from local poor people, as this fish is affordable to the lowest income group in this area.
[27]
See also
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External links
Further reading