The Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is a cichlid fish from Africa. Outside of Africa, it is generally regarded as an invasive species.

The Nile Tilapia has regular, vertical indistinct stripes, with variable colours.

Nile Tilapia

It can grow to 60 centimetres (24 inches) long.

The Nile Tilapia prefers warm shallow brackish water, where it feeds on plants and insects, including mosquito larvae.

It lives for about nine years.

The Nile Tilapia reproduces through mass spawning of eggs that are in the nest made by the male fish. When the eggs hatch, the young fish are called fry. Females look after their young through mouthbrooding (where the fish move in and out of their mother’s mouth). This occurs for about 12 days.

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM