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Nile Tilapia, photographed on a transparent background
Photo: W H Flower · Public domain

FreshwaterComing soonUncommon

Nile Tilapia

Oreochromis niloticus niloticus

The Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus niloticus) is a tropical freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae. It swims in midwater close to the bottom, between 0 and 20 m deep. It grows to 60 cm (standard length, tail fin excluded). The IUCN Red List rates it Least Concern. In the aquarium it is kept at 21–27 °C.

Size
60 cmstandard length, tail fin excluded
Temperature
21–27 °C
pH
6.2–8.5
Tank footprint
210 × 60 cm

In the aquarium

Temperature21–27 °C
pH6.2–8.5
Hardness10–30 °dGH
Drawn to scale in a 210 cm tank

In the wild

Water type
Freshwater
Climate zone
Tropical
Habitat
Midwater, close to the bottom

Depth

Conservation status

Classification

  1. OrderPerciformes
  2. FamilyCichlidae
  3. GenusOreochromis
  4. SpeciesOreochromis niloticus niloticus

Quick answers

Nile Tilapia size: how big does it get?
It grows to 60 cm (standard length, tail fin excluded).
Nile Tilapia tank size: what is the minimum?
A tank with a footprint of at least 210 × 60 cm.
Nile Tilapia water parameters: what does it need?
Temperature 21–27 °C, pH 6.2–8.5, hardness 10–30 °dGH.
Nile Tilapia: is it endangered?
The IUCN Red List rates it Least Concern.

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Sources

The figures on this page are compiled from the references below.