View WAC 220-12-090 Classification - Nonnative aquatic
animal species with photos
Oreochromis niloticus (Nile tilapia)
Animal Fish Family: Cichlidae Classification: Regulated
The Oreochromis species
come in a wide range of colors from green or red to black and white or silver.
Tilapia are sometimes called sunshine snapper, cherry snapper, Nile perch,
and St. Peter's fish.
They are fast growing fish
that are often farmed in ponds or tanks for commercial food use. The Sartheradon
species are somewhat smaller, and are frequently sold as aquarium species.
This includes the red bellied tilapia, Tilapia zillii which is sometimes
misidentified as Tilapia melanopleura. According to USGS there are populations
of red bellied tilapia in the wild in Eastern Oregon, Western Idaho, and
Northern Nevada. Because of the possibility of survival in the wild, the
import of tilapia for farming is regulated.
