The genus name oreochromis derives from the Latin aurum, meaning simply "gold"; Oreochromis is commonly known today as tilapia. There are thirty different tilapia subspecies in the Oreochromis family. Oreochromis are used for both food and by aquarium hobbyists. The most well known in the Oreochromis include the Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus), Victoria tilapia (Oreochromis variabilis), Singida tilapia (Oreochromis esculentus) and the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus).
Oreochromis niloticus, or "Nile tilapia," are large tilapia, -- the largest recorded fish is almost 2 feet in length -- native to Africa and common in the waterways of Cameroon, Chad, Egypt and Nigeria. Nile tilapia are a popular food source; eight subspecies exist in the wild on every continent except Antarctica. This breed of tilapia are invasive, thriving in the wild and crowding out other species of aquatic life. Nile tilapia have vertical strips across their bodies; they sport a black or gray dorsal fin, feed on algae and can live in any body of freshwater.
Blue tilapia (Oreochrmois Aureus) are a common food and pet. They are in the African cichlid family and native to Africa and the Middle East, living in both fresh and brackish waters. The tail fin of the blue tilapia is bright red or pink. The head of the male blue tilapia changes color to a bright metallic blue while females' dorsal and tail fins change to a pink color during breeding season. Blue tilapia form schools, are territorial, eat algae and small invertebrates and are an invasive species in non-native habitats.
The Mozambique tilapia, as the name implies, is native to Mozambique and other African nations. It thrives in many tropical and subtropical areas of the world and has a thick body, long dorsal fin fitted with protective spines and an overall yellow coloring. The fish feeds on plankton, algae, insects and invertebrates and is hardy and easy to grow in both fish farms and aquariums. Large aquariums are necessary because the fish can grow up to 16 inches long. Mozambique tilapia are an invasive species in non-native habitats.
The Wami Tilapia earns its name from the Wami River in Africa. It is native to Uganda and Tanzania and lives in non-native habits across the world, from Japan to the United States. Mature males have a large protruding jaw, black coloring (including lips) and red, orange or pink tail fins. Female Wami tilapia are a bland gray. The Wami tilapia is a common aquarium pet and protein source.