Tilapia Fish for Future Sustainable Aquaculture

Lately, aquaculture has been recognized as the fast-growing industry in the food production sector, and it requires maintainable development to cover the world population’s demand for aquatic and seafood products. Among the 400 farmed fish species, warm-water fish species such as tilapia need a little quantity of fishmeal in their diets compared to other species. Tilapia is classified as the second most widespread species whose production is increasing every year; Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is easily adaptable to a large variety of environments, is capable of reproducing in cavities, has an excellent market position in Asia and Africa, is highly resistant to diseases, has good fillet quality, shows moderate feed conversion ratio and excellent growth rate on many natural and artificial diets. Nile tilapia (O. niloticus) is known in the market as “aquatic chicken” due to its high tolerance to adverse physical and environmental conditions and overcrowding, its capability to survive at low oxygen levels, and a wide range of salinity concentrations. Tilapia adapts easily to natural and artificial feeds, has good feed conversion value, grows moderately fast, has a final high yield potential, and is accepted by customers worldwide. In addition, tilapia can grow in different aquaculture systems, ranging from extensive, semi-intensive, and intensive; also it can be grown in monoculture or polyculture techniques. Since tilapia grows well in adverse environmental conditions, tolerates stress factors as handling, and is resilient to disease agents of pathogen infections and infectious diseases, it has become the most common species among farmers. Nile tilapia (O. niloticus) could be cultured in both fresh and saltwater; and in tropical, subtropical, and temperate climates. The authors in this chapter will cover the environmental and nutritional requirements of tilapia, defined as key factors in profit production. As mentioned above, tilapia has a wide tolerance for high stocking densities and environmental conditions. In addition to these advantages, tilapia grows very well in integrated culture systems with aquatic species such as carp and shrimps, as well as with crops like tomato and lettuce. However, the global extension of tilapia farming growing at a remarkably high rate is likely to pose environmental and socioeconomic threats. This chapter highlights the advantages and challenges of commercial tilapia production including the economic aspects, living behind the improvement of effluent quality to minimize the impact on the environment, which will be covered in a different section.