Throughout much of the tropics, tilapiine cichlids native to Africa and the Levant have been widely introduced into a variety of aquatic systems. In the U.S. states of Florida and Texas, tilapia were originally introduced to curtail invasive plants.[1] In an effort to meet the growing demand for tilapia, humans have farmed these fish in countries around the world. Capable of establishing themselves into new ponds and waterways, many tilapia have escaped aquaculture facilities across much of Asia, Africa, and South America.[2][3] In other cases, tilapia have been established into new aquatic habitats via aquarists or ornamental fish farmers.[4][5]
Because tilapia are generally large, fast growing, breed rapidly, and can tolerate a wide variety of water conditions (even marine environments), tilapia establish themselves into new habitats rather quickly. In doing so, tilapia often out compete native fish, create turbidity in rivers by digging, and can reduce available sun light for aquatic plants. Tilapia greatly affect and alter local habitat. Many environmental problems wrought by tilapia have been observed in different locations, including Australia, the Philippines, and the United States.[6][7][8]
^Azevedo-Santos, V. M.; Rigolin-Sá, O.; Pelicice, F. M. 2011. Growing, losing or introducing? Cage aquaculture as a vector for the introduction of non-native fish in Furnas Reservoir, Minas Gerais, Brazil.. Neotropical Ichthyology, 9: 915-919
^University of Southern Mississippi/College of Marine Sciences/Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (2005-08-03). "Fact Sheet for Tilapia zilli (Gervais, 1848)". Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission. Archived from the original on 2007-08-18. Retrieved 2007-02-10.