The Red Nile Tilapia is a relatively large cichlid fish. Tilapia in general are the most popular fish species used in aquaponics due to their ability to breed easily, grow fast, and withstand various water conditions. Tilapia are also the most popular fish for home and commercial projects that are intended to raise edible fish. They can feed on algae or any plant-based food, which makes them important in aquaculture. Red Tilapia are wonderful additions to an aquaponics system as they serve as a natural biological control for many aquatic plant problems.
Adults can reach up to 24 inches in length and up to 9.5 pounds. The Red Nile Tilapia can live for up to nine years. They can tolerate brackish water and survive in temperatures between 63° and 101° F. In general, they thrive in warmer temperatures. The Red Nile is an omnivore, feeding on plankton as well as aquatic plants, algae and duckweed. They typically feed during daytime hours. To obtain the necessary nutrients, night feeding may also occur due to competition for food during the daylight hours.
Red Nile Tilapia are mouth brooders, with the female collecting and holding the eggs in her mouth until hatching. Brood sizes range from 100 to 2,000 eggs depending on the size of the female. With the proper environmental conditions, Tilapia can easily reproduce and provide ample fish for home consumption or for grow-out for commercial farms.
On this page, you can choose between two sizes of Red Nile Tilapia: fry or fingerlings. If you are interested in a breeding colony or farm package, please visit the main “Fish” page of our site to learn more.