Tilapia, Oreochromis mossambica (Peters 1852)


Other Names: Mouth-brooder, Mozambique Cichlid

Tilapia, Oreochromis mossambica, in rocky Pool, Gascoyne River, Western Australia. Source: Bill & Mark Bell / Flickr. License: CC by Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike

Summary:
An very hardy introduced noxious cichlid. Tilapia are tolerant of a wide range of temperatures, salinities and dissolved oxygen levels - and are one of the most widespread feral fish in Australia. 

Cite this page as:
Dianne J. Bray, Oreochromis mossambica in Fishes of Australia, accessed 20 Apr 2024, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/203

Tilapia, Oreochromis mossambica (Peters 1852)

More Info


Distribution

Introduced to reservoirs, farm dams, and natural waters in Australia. Known from Geraldton, the Gascoyne River and Lyons River, WA, and in scattered localities of eastern Australia including Townsville and the Brisbane vicinity, QLD; also in the cooling lake at the Hazelwood Power Station, Victoria. 

Author

Dianne J. Bray

Tilapia, Oreochromis mossambica (Peters 1852)

References


Allen GR, Midgley SH, Allen M. 2002. Freshwater Fishes of Australia. Western Australian Museum, Perth.

McDowall RM. (ed.) 1996. Freshwater Fishes of South-Eastern Australia. Reed Books, Australia.

Lever C. 1996. Naturalized Fishes of the World. Academic Press, San Diego.
Arthington AH & Bluhdorn DR. 1994. Distribution, genetics, ecology and status of the introduced cichlid, Oreochromis mossambicus, in Australia. Internationale Vereinigung fur theoretische und angewandte Limnologie/Communications 24: 53-62.

Ovenden, J.R., Macbeth, M.G., Pope, L.C., Thuesen, P., Street, R. & Broderick, D. (2015) Translocation between freshwater catchments has facilitated the spread of tilapia in eastern Australia. Biological Invasions 17(2): 637-650. doi:10.1007/s10530-014-0754-6 Abstract

Quick Facts


CAAB Code:37371001

Fishing:Aquacultured around world

Max Size:36 cm (Australia)

Native:Invasive pest species

Species Image Gallery

Species Maps

CAAB distribution map