The Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) exhibits dark-colored flesh, which does not make it a popular food fish; many people prefer the light, albino color for tilapia. It has origins in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Cote d'Ivoire, Egypt, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Togo and Uganda. Although the species is native to these locations, the Nile tilapia has been introduced to other regions of the world and resides in every continent except for Antarctica. It is considered a freshwater species, but it inhabits lakes, rivers, irrigation channels and sewage canals as well. The Nile tilapia is a diurnal fish and its diet mainly consists of phytoplankton and benthic algae. Because the species can also eat plants, it has been introduced to ponds to control aquatic weed growth.
Also known as the Israeli tilapia, blue tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) have a rear fin that exhibits broad bright red or pink coloration. They group together, forming schools, and can be territorial. The species is native to Cameroon, Chad, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, tropical Senegal, subtropical Africa and the Middle East and has been introduced to Southeast Asia and the Americas. Blue tilapia live in lakes, streams, ponds and impoundments. Adult blue tilapia mainly feed on phytoplankton and epiphytic algae, but also prey on zooplankton and small fish. Young blue tilapias eat copepods, cladocerans and small invertebrates.
Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) has a long fin on its upper back with protective spines near the front of the fin and its main body appears yellow in coloration. It is a native species of Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa. It likes inhabiting standing water, but can be found in all water environments except for fast-flowing rivers and streams. Mozambique tilapia eats plankton, decomposing organic matter, plants, insects, aquatic invertebrates and fry, but it will eat almost anything due to its ability to adapt its diet to its environment. Older species of Mozambique tilapia tend to be aggressive.
The Wami tilapia and Rufigi tilapia (collectively known as Oreochromis urolepis hornorum) were once regarded as separate species, but have now merged. Mature Wami tilapia male fishes are almost entirely black with pale or black lips. The tips of the upper back fin are bright red, orange or pink in coloration. The main body of the female fishes are steel grey or silvery. Wami tilapia originated in Uganda and Tanzania and were introduced to the United States, Brazil, Cote d'Ivoire, Slovakia, Japan and Figi. It is a tropical species that feeds on decomposing organic matter, algae, plants and small invertebrates.