Tilapia

Common Name:

Tilapia

Scientific Name:

Oreochromis spp., Sarotherodon spp., Tilapia spp.

Market Name(s):

St. Peter's fish

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Sourcing Summary

3-9 oz.

Tilapia are a hardy, aggressive freshwater fish originally native to Africa that reproduce quickly and eat a grain-based vegetarian diet. This fish grows fast and can reach a size for harvesting within eight to 10 months. Tilapia is a white fish with a bland flavor that makes it a good substitute for other white fish, including snapper, grouper, flounder, and rockfish. Tilapia is available year-round fresh and frozen, whole and in fillets, and frozen value-added fillets. According to some buyers, the quality of frozen tilapia fillets can vary so it is recommended to stay with a good brand to ensure consistency. Fillets are available in several graded sizes: 3-5 oz, 5-7 oz, and 7-9 oz, with 5-7 oz being the most common grade.

The nature of the fish makes it taste like the water where it was raised, so the best quality has the cleanest taste. Many frozen fillet producers in Taiwan and China treat the fish with carbon monoxide to give the bloodline a red color; these fillets are frequently marketed as sashimi-quality snapper even though they aren’t and do not have the same quality. To make sure their tilapia crop is male, some farmers use a hormone called methyltestosterone that, although deemed safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, has caused some buyers to seek non-treated fish.

 

Harvest Methods

Farmed

Contained Recirculating System
Contained Recirculating System
Cages
Ponds

Product Forms

Fresh

  • Fillet
  • Whole

Frozen

  • Fillet
  • H&G
  • Whole
Fresh Seasonal Availability
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Culinary Composition

Flavor

Mild
Sweet
Strong

Texture

Delicate
Medium
Firm

Health & Nutrition

Nutrition facts

Serving size: 113 Grams
Amount per serving
  • Calories
    93.00
  • Total Fat
    1.00
    g
  • Cholesterol
    55.00
    mg
  • Sodium
    40.00
    mg
  • Carbohydrates
    0.00
    g
  • Protein
    21.00
    g

Cooking Methods

Advisory Concern

Biology

Tilapia have compressed, deep bodies with long dorsal fins. The front part of the dorsal fin is heavily spined. Spines can also be found on the pelvis and anal fins. In earlier life stages, tilapia usually have wide vertical bars down their sides (this physical characteristic can be seen on some adult individuals as well). Tilapia can be distinguished from similar looking fish species by an interrupted lateral line. Their coloring can range from gray or pink to yellowish. Tilapia can grow as large as two feet and can weigh over 10 lbs.

Tilapia will usually reach sexual maturity around five to six months and will start spawning in ponds when the temperature reaches 75o Fahrenheit (24o Celsius). Males will make a nest at the bottom of the pond and then will breed with a number of females. Females will then spawn in the nest – the number of eggs a female releases during spawning is proportional to body weight – with the male fertilizing the eggs. Females hold the fertilized eggs in their mouths until they hatch (the eggs are usually held for about one to two weeks). After hatching, the larvae will feed on the yolk sac for several days, until they venture out to start feeding on their own. The fry (another term for young fish who are capable of feeding themselves) will return to their mother’s mouth for refuge if necessary.  

Tilapia are omnivorous grazers. They will feed on phytoplankton, aquatic plants, small invertebrates, larval fish, and detritus. They can filter feed by entrapping particles on the mucus secreted by their gills, though they eat mainly by grazing the water’s surface.

Species Habitat

Tilapia are a tropical fish native to Africa and the Middle East. In the wild, tilapia can be found in lakes, wetlands, estuaries, and in marine environments. In Africa, tilapia are native to the Nile River basin, the Niger, Benue, Volta, and Senegal rivers, and Lakes Chad, Tanganyika, Albert, Edward, and Kivu. Tilapia are known for their tolerance to poor water quality. They are; however, relatively sensitive to water temperatures as most tilapia species cannot withstand temperatures below 50° Fahrenheit (10° Celsius) for a few days (blue tilapia can tolerate lower temperatures of about 48° Fahrenheit (8.9° Celsius)). Additionally, most tilapia will stop feeding when water temperatures fall below 63° Fahrenheit (17°Celsius). Of the commercially important species, Nile tilapia are the least tolerant to salinity, but can grow well in salinities up 15 parts per thousand (ppt). Blue tilapia grow well in brackish water up to 20 ppt. Mozambique tilapia are considered to be the most tolerant of salt water and can grow in salinities near or at full saltwater strength. 

Tilapia are produced in more than 100 countries making them one of the most widely produced aquaculture species in the world. They have subsequently been purposefully introduced (as biological controls for mosquitos or algae) or accidentally introduced (as a result of escapes from ponds and net pens) into the wild in numerous countries. Some wild populations throughout the world are considered to be invasive as they can disrupt native ecosystems. China is currently the world’s largest producer of farmed tilapia and it is estimated they produce over 40 percent of the world’s supply. The US is considered to be the largest importer of farmed tilapia with most of that fish (estimated at 40 percent) being imported from China.

Science & Management:
  • Farmed
    Science: 

    As tilapia are one of the most commonly farmed fish species, studies have focused on improving growth of the fish and efficient use of resources in farmed tilapia production.

    Though tilapia can survive in environments with lower dissolved oxygen (DO) than most other farmed fish, research has shown that they have better growth rates when DO concentrations do not fall below 0.7 mg/L. It has been found that tilapia will grow well in water with salinities up to 15 ppt and can achieve optimal growth when water is around 85-88o Fahrenheit (29-31o Celsius). Researchers at Dartmouth College recently discovered that marine microalgae can be used to replace wild fish oil that is used in feed given to tilapia. Tilapia who ate the microalgae were observed to have “bulked up” more despite being given less feed on this new diet.

    Management: 

    Tilapia is one of the largest aquaculture sectors in the United States. Given their sensitivity to temperatures, most US tilapia are farmed using recirculating aquaculture systems or aquaponics systems, while some are also grown in ponds. Tilapia are considered to be fast growing and resilient – making them an ideal aquaculture species. 

    While there is no national oversight agency for aquaculture in the US, management of US-based farms is considered to be strong and there are extensive regulations in place regarding predator controls, therapeutant use, and disease management. Permitting varies by state with numerous federal agencies providing some degree of oversight. These include:

    • The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) – which is responsible for coordinating national aquaculture policy and providing industry with research, information, and extension services;
    • The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – which regulates waste discharge from aquaculture facilities. The EPA authorizes state governments to regulate aquaculture discharges in accordance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits. These permits help control and monitor discharge levels of solids and other pollutants. Discharge from aquaculture facilities is also subject to additional regulations under individual state laws and agencies;
    • The Fisheries and Wildlife Service (FWS) – which regulates the introduction and transport of fish; and,
    • The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine is responsible for approving and monitoring the use of drugs and medicated feeds used in the aquaculture industry.

    China is the world’s largest producer of farmed tilapia. The major production areas are located in south China which due to its warm climate, accounts for roughly 90 percent of total Chinese production. Guangdong, Hainan, and Guangxi provinces supply the majority of Chinese tilapia as the warm temperatures allow for year-round farming. Chinese tilapia are generally farmed using net pens or in ponds (with or without other species). Production systems in China are classified into two categories: integrated systems and specialized systems. Integrated systems are small to medium size and use on-farm wastes to fertilize ponds. These farms cannot obtain the Chinese Inspector Quarantine (CIQ) certification and therefore cannot export. Specialized systems have CIQ certification and are subject to more rigorous controls and inspections. Tilapia in China are also farmed in reservoirs originally built for rice farms. 

    Despite its importance in China and the US market, there is lack of publicly available information on environmental monitoring and subsequently, the environmental impacts of Chinese tilapia farming. Additionally, information on feeds, effluent management, and escapes is dispersed and considered difficult to access. The Chinese Ministry of Agriculture is responsible for issuing licenses for aquaculture operations; however, it has been difficult for the Ministry to inspect and license the thousands of small farms currently operating. The amount of small-scale facilities operating without a license is unknown and without proper inspection and enforcement, it is impossible to know if they are meeting current Chinese regulations. 

    There is no specific legislation regarding aquaculture siting in China, but the use of aquatic and terrestrial environments are regulated under different laws, including: the Fisheries Law, the Regulation Law for Sea Area Usage, and the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Law. As all land and water areas are state-owned, siting must meet local zoning schemes required by the Land Administration Law. This particular law also prohibits the use of basic farmland for aquaculture use. Wastewater discharge is regulated under national regulations as well as local governments, though enforcement appears to be almost nonexistent. The national government also establishes laws prohibiting the use of certain chemicals – such as nitrofurans and malachite green – as well as certain antibiotics in aquaculture production. 

    Tilapia is Indonesia’s most-produced aquaculture product. Production primarily occurs on the islands of Sumatra and Java, which account for about 81 percent of total national tilapia production. Indonesian tilapia are primarily farmed using freshwater ponds (accounting for 75 percent of total production) and marine net pens (which make up the remaining 25 percent). The majority of Indonesian production is consumed domestically. The US and Europe account for the majority of Indonesian exports; however, that amount is relatively small when compared to Chinese tilapia exports. In 2015, Indonesian tilapia accounted for only 4.6 percent of the total US tilapia imports.

    The General Directorate of Aquaculture production and Development, a dependent of the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, is responsible for farm siting and cumulative aquaculture impacts in Indonesia. The Indonesian Fisheries Act No 31 regulates the environmental impacts of the aquaculture industry. Provincial governments are responsible for the management, use, conservation, and spatial planning of aquatic environments under the Law on Regional Administration while the central government maintains control of issuing licenses for foreign companies. The effectiveness of regulations in Indonesia is hindered by a lack of coordination between the different management agencies. Enforcement of national and regional regulations is also difficult and their success is not fully known. English language information about the overall tilapia aquaculture industry and management in Indonesia is relatively scarce and while production statistics are available, there is a lack of information regarding the ecological impacts of tilapia farming in Indonesia. The environmental impacts of effluents (which are notably lacking in data), land use change, predator control, and chemical use in Indonesia is poorly understood. 

Wild
Farmed

Habitat Impacts

Tilapia are farmed in earthen ponds, floating cages, or in indoor recirculating tanks. In the United States, tilapia are farmed in closed tank systems, which reduces the likelihood of escapes. Most tilapia come from farms in Southeast Asia and Latin America. Asian farmers usually treat effluent before discharging it, however poorer rural areas do not always treat it. In Latin America, several independent companies have created best practices for tilapia farming, but the effectiveness of these measures is unclear. Tilapia’s hardy nature reduces the need for pesticides, antibiotics, drugs and other added chemicals. However, the practice in Mexico of raising the fish in drainage water is potentially hazardous due to leaching chemicals. In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency requires fish farmers to hold discharge elimination permits. American tilapia systems tend to release small amounts of effluent. 

Feed

Tilapia are vegetarian and primarily fed a grain-based diet. However, some farmers use feed that contains low amounts of fish meal and oil. In Latin America, farmers use feed that contains as much as 8% fishmeal, although it’s usually 5% or less. In Asia, many farmers add fertilizers to the water, encouraging phytoplankton and zooplankton to grow so that less feed is required.

Escapes and Introduced Species

Tilapia are disease-resistant and able to survive in poor water, making the likelihood that escapees will survive very high. Since tilapia are non-native to the United States and threaten native freshwater fish, U.S. farms minimize the risk by employing recirculating systems. Open pond tilapia farming is prohibited in the United States. In Asia, tilapia often escape ponds when they become flooded from rainfall, but their impact on native populations is not fully known. Asian farmers also raise the fish in cages and tanks. Tilapia escapees from tilapia ponds in Central and South America have been linked to the decline of native freshwater fish species. In Mexico, farmed tilapias have been known to spread parasites to native fish.

Effluent

American tilapia systems tend to release small amounts of effluent. 

In Asia and Latin America where tilapia farming is intensive, farming can cause local waterways to have higher nitrogen and phosphorous levels, leading to heavier algae growth. Some Mexican tilapia farming operations enhance the habitat by using effluent to irrigate trees, reforesting watershed areas.

Origin Harvest Method Sustainability Ratings
Belize (ASC) Net Pens
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 2 Best Choice
Brazil (ASC) Net Pens
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 2 Best Choice
Brazil (BAP 2/3/4-star) Net Pens
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
China Open - Pond
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 4 Think
China (BAP 2/3/4-star) Net Pens
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Colombia Net Pens
Seafood Watch- Good Alternative
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Colombia (ASC) Net Pens
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 2 Best Choice
Colombia (BAP 2/3/4-star) Net Pen
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Costa Rica Open - Nets/Cages
Seafood Watch- Unrated
Ocean Wise- Unrated
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Costa Rica (ASC) Net Pens
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 2 Best Choice
Costa Rica (BAP 2/3/4-star) Net Pens
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Ecuador Open - Pond
Seafood Watch- Best Choice
Ocean Wise- Recommended
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Ecuador (BAP 2/3/4-star) Net Pens
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Guatemala (BAP 2/3/4-star) Net Pens
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Honduras Net Pens
Seafood Watch- Good Alternative
Ocean Wise- Recommended
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Honduras (ASC) Net Pens
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 2 Best Choice
Honduras (BAP 2/3/4-star) Net Pens
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Indonesia Net Pens
Seafood Watch- Good Alternative
Ocean Wise- Recommended
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Indonesia (ASC) Net Pens
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 2 Best Choice
Indonesia (BAP 2/3/4-star) Net Pens
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Malaysia (ASC) Net Pens
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 2 Best Choice
Mexico Net Pens
Seafood Watch- Good Alternative
Ocean Wise- Recommended
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Mexico (ASC) Net Pens
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 2 Best Choice
Mexico (BAP 2/3/4-star) Net Pens
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Peru Raceways
Seafood Watch- Best Choice
Ocean Wise- Recommended
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Taiwan Open - Nets/Cages
Seafood Watch- Unrated
Ocean Wise- Unrated
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Taiwan Open - Pond
Seafood Watch- Good Alternative
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Taiwan (ASC) Net Pens
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 2 Best Choice
Thailand (BAP 2/3/4-star) Net Pens
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Unassessed Origin Unassessed Farming Methods
Seafood Watch- Unrated
Ocean Wise- Unrated
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
USA Open - Pond
Seafood Watch- Unrated
Ocean Wise- Unrated
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Vietnam (ASC) Net Pens
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 2 Best Choice
Vietnam (BAP 2/3/4-star) Net Pens
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Worldwide Wild-caught
Seafood Watch- Unrated
Ocean Wise- Unrated
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Worldwide RAS - recirculating aquaculture systems (without wastewater treatment)
Seafood Watch- Good Alternative
Ocean Wise- Recommended
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Worldwide Tanks
Seafood Watch- Best Choice
Ocean Wise- Recommended
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Worldwide RAS - recirculating aquaculture systems (with wastewater treatment)
Seafood Watch- Best Choice
Ocean Wise- Recommended
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Name Country State/Province
AAA Ranch United States Kansas
Allseas Fisheries Corp. Canada Ontario
American Fresh Fillets United States Florida
Americulture, Inc. United States New Mexico
Aqua Star United States Washington
Beaver Street Fisheries United States Florida
Blue Ribbon Meats United States Ohio
Blue Ridge Aquaculture, Inc. United States Virginia
Calkins & Burke Canada British Columbia
Catanese Classic Seafood United States Ohio
Caudle's Catch Seafood Canada Ontario
Central Coast Seafood United States California
Channel Seafoods International United States Florida
City Fish Canada Alberta
Desert Springs Tilapia United States Arizona
Diamond Head Seafood Wholesale, Inc. United States Hawaii
Euclid Fish Company United States Ohio
Export Packers Company Limited Canada Ontario
Falling Waters Farm, LLC United States Indiana
Fish Breeders of Idaho, Inc United States Idaho
Fish Processors, Inc. United States Idaho
Fortuna Sea Products, Inc. United States California
Impulse Seafood United States Florida
IncredibleFish, Inc. United States Florida
Intercity Packers Meat & Seafood Canada British Columbia
John Nagle Co. United States Massachusetts
Kingsun Foods Co., Ltd China Liaoning Sheng
Kohala Mountain Fish Company United States Hawaii
L&L International Inc. United States California
Lusamerica Foods United States, United States, United States California
Macgregors Meat & Seafood Ltd. Canada Ontario
Marinex SA Switzerland
Maximum Seafood Canada Ontario
McRoberts Sales Co., Inc. United States, United States Florida
Mike Stahl Seafood Co LLC United States California
Ming Hong International, Inc. United States California
Monterey Fish Market United States California
Norpac Fisheries Export United States Hawaii
OM Seafood Company United States Oregon
Orca Bay Seafoods, Inc. United States Washington
Pacific Fresh Fish Ltd. Canada Saskatchewan
Pacific Harvest Seafoods United States California
PezCo Aquafarming LLC United States Florida
Pike Place Fish Market United States Washington
Profish Ltd. United States District of Columbia
Regal Springs Trading Co. United States Florida
Royal Hawaiian Seafood United States California
Sammy's Seafood Inc United States Florida
Samuels & Son Seafood Company, Inc. United States Pennsylvania
Sarasota Seafood Company United States Florida
Sea Delight, LLC. United States Florida
Seacore Seafood Canada Ontario
Seattle Fish Co United States Colorado
Seattle Fish Company - Kansas City United States Missouri
Slade Gorton & Co Inc. United States Massachusetts
Star Fisheries Inc. United States California
Tai Foong USA United States Washington
Thalassa Seafoods Belgium
The Fish Guys Inc. United States Minnesota
The Fishin' Company United States Pennsylvania
The Hadley Company United States Massachusetts
Tilopia Farms United States Florida
Tradex Foods Inc. Canada British Columbia
Triple B Tilapia United States Indiana
Wixter Market United States Illinois

Acknowledgements

  • Environmental Defense Fund
  • Seafood Watch Program
  • SeafoodSource
Last Updated: 8/7/2020