Oreochromis aureus

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Oreochromis aureus

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
(Pan-Africa)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Cichliformes
Family: Cichlidae
Genus: Oreochromis
Species:
O. aureus
Binomial name
Oreochromis aureus
(Steindachner, 1864)
Synonyms
  • Chromis aureus Steindachner, 1864
  • Sarotherodon aureus (Steindachner, 1864)
  • Tilapia aurea (Steindachner, 1864 )
  • Tilapia nilotica exul Steinitz, 1951
  • Tilapia aurea exul Steinitz, 1951
  • Tilapia monodi Daget, 1954
  • Tilapia lemassoni Blache & Miton, 1960
  • Tilapia kashabi Elster, 1958 (ambiguous)
  • Tilapia kacherbi Wunder, 1960 (ambiguous)

The blue tilapia (Oreochromis aureus) is a species of

Western Africa, and the Middle East, through introductions it is now also established elsewhere, including parts of the United States, where it has been declared an invasive species and has caused significant environmental damage.[3] It is known as the blue kurper in South Africa.[4]

Description

In their introduced US range, blue tilapia are usually 120 to 200 millimetres (4+3⁄4 to 7+3⁄4 in) in length,

mouthbrooders, and broods range from 160 to 1600 eggs per female.[3] O. aureus is primarily herbivorous, but occasionally consumes zooplankton;[3] the young include small invertebrates in their diet.[2]

Range and habitat

The blue tilapia is native to Northern and Western Africa, and the Middle East. In Africa, it is native to the

Nile Rivers. In the Middle East, it is native to the Jordan River.[2] Through introductions, the fish can be found in the United States in Texas, Alabama, Florida, and Nevada. It has also been established in Central and South America, and Southeast Asia.[2] The original stocks of O. aureus in the United States were from Israel.[6]

The blue tilapia is primarily a fresh and

hypersaline conditions at up to 4.5% salinity (seawater is about 3.5%).[7] It primarily occurs in waters that range from 12 to 32 °C (54–90 °F),[7] but tolerates between 8 and 40 °C (46–104 °F).[2]

Israel

In Israel, Oreochromis aureus is also known as Jordan St. Peter's fish and was traditionally coming down the

Coptodon zillii, مشط musht in Arabic and adopted into Modern Hebrew
, lit. "comb").

Another "St. Peter's fish" is the "Galilee St. Peter's fish" (mango tilapia, Sarotherodon galileus; Arabic مشط أبيض musht 'abyad), which is white and also larger than C. zillii.[8]

Invasive species

See also: Tilapia as exotic species

Oreochromis aureus has been introduced in many places around the world for use as a food fish, and frequently in order to control aquatic vegetation.

Oreochromis niloticus, because the two species were only recently distinguished.[9]

In the United States

Since its introduction into Florida in 1961,

unionid mussel declines in two bodies of water in Texas.[6] It is also blamed for a severe decline in native fish populations in Warm Springs Natural Area, Nevada.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b Awaïss, A.; Azeroual, A. & Lalèyè, P. (2010). "Oreochromis aureus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2010: e.T166933A6293372. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Oreochromis aureus". FishBase. Retrieved 2008-06-29.
  3. ^ a b c d "Fact Sheet for Oreochromis aureus (Steindachner, 1864)". Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission. Archived from the original on 2008-05-02. Retrieved 2008-06-28.
  4. ^ "Blue Kurper". Flyloops. Archived from the original on 2018-09-06. Retrieved 2012-03-22.
  5. ^ a b c "Florida's Exotic Freshwater Fishes". State of Florida, Division of Freshwater Fisheries. Archived from the original on 2008-07-03. Retrieved 2008-06-29.
  6. ^
    US Geological Survey. Archived from the original
    on 2009-01-09. Retrieved 2008-06-30.
  7. ^
    S2CID 109938635
    .
  8. ^
    ISBN 978-3-447-05934-3 [1]
  9. ^ a b "Global Invasive Species Database". Retrieved 31 July 2014.
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