Photos credit: Sherif Sadek (Egypt)
Review: Abdel Rahman El Gamal (Founder of the website)
Green tilapia (Tilapia zillii) is usually treated as an unwanted species in fish ponds because the species matures at younger age and smaller size compared to farmed tilapia species such as Nile tilapia (the specimens shown –based on their color- are sexually mature. Added to that, green tilapia does not belong to mouth brooder tilapias and its eggs may pass the screen of a fish pond then grow, mature and reproduce leading to problems in the pond management. Because green tilapia is more tolerant to salinity than other tilapia species it would normally occur where other tilapias are absent.
The attached photos show the harvest of a shrimp pond in Egypt showing specimens of whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) along with green tilapia. Interestingly, green tilapia enjoys premium market price if displayed as it is often kept for special customers who are fond of the taste and row of the species and who can afford its price.
