Species profile
Mozambique Tilapia
Oreochromis mossambicus
At a glance
Mozambique Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) is an IUCN Vulnerable bony-fish species regulated in 4 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
Confirmed by 603 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Hawaii, California, and Florida the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- Listed among the world's 100 worst invasive species by the IUCN.
- Native to southeastern Africa, it is now established on every continent except Antarctica.
- Females mouthbrood eggs and fry, carrying young safely for roughly two weeks.
- Males turn dark, almost black, during breeding season to establish territory and attract females.
- They tolerate salinities near full seawater, allowing survival in estuaries and coastal lagoons.
Where Mozambique Tilapia are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Mozambique Tilapia
Background
The Mozambique tilapia is an oreochromine cichlid fish native to southeastern Africa. Dull colored, the Mozambique tilapia often lives up to a decade in its native habitats. It is a popular fish for aquaculture. Due to human introductions, it is now found in many tropical and subtropical habitats around the globe, where it can become an invasive species because of its robust nature. These same…
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Mozambique Tilapia article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other bony fish on CatchRules
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.