Nile Tilapia

Oreochromis niloticus

A fast-growing, hardy freshwater cichlid and the dominant farmed fish species in Kenya, raised in earthen ponds, lined ponds, and cages in lakes and reservoirs.

Species: Fish
Family: Cichlidae
Climate requirements: Thrives in warm water of 25-30C (growth slows sharply below 20C and stops near 12C); tolerant of a wide range of water quality but needs dissolved oxygen above 3mg/L and is best suited to Kenya's warmer lowland, lakeside and Rift Valley regions rather than cold highland areas.

Husbandry

Care & Economics

Husbandry guide: Stock fingerlings at 2-4 fish/sqm in earthen or lined ponds at least 1-1.5m deep with a reliable water inflow/exchange to maintain oxygen and water quality. Feed a floating pelleted feed matched to growth stage (starting around 40% protein for fry, reducing to 25-30% for grow-out) 2-3 times daily at a consistent time and rate (roughly 3-5% of body weight/day), and monitor water quality (dissolved oxygen, ammonia, pH 6.5-8.5) regularly. Harvest by draining or seine netting once fish reach 250-500g market size, typically 6-8 months from stocking.
Economic importance: A fast-growing income source for Kenyan fish farmers under government-backed aquaculture programmes (e.g. the Economic Stimulus Programme fish ponds), supplying both local fresh-fish markets and a growing value-added (filleted, smoked) trade; Lake Victoria beach markets and urban fish outlets depend heavily on farmed and wild-caught Nile Tilapia.

Genetics

Breeds

ANX-ANIMALBREED-0000005

GIFT (Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia)

A selectively bred strain of Nile Tilapia developed through the WorldFish-led GIFT programme for faster growth and improved survival compared with unimproved farm stock.

Productivity: Reaches market size (300-500g) up to 30-40% faster than unimproved local strains under equivalent pond conditions, improving cycle turnover for farmers.

Warm lowland and lake-basin pond systems, 25-30C water temperature

ANX-ANIMALBREED-0000006

Chitralada

A Thai-origin improved Nile Tilapia strain valued for good growth performance and adaptability, widely distributed to Kenyan hatcheries alongside GIFT stock.

Productivity: Solid growth rate and disease hardiness under earthen-pond conditions, though generally slightly slower growing than top GIFT lines.

Warm lowland pond and cage systems, 25-30C water temperature

Animal health

Diseases

Streptococcosis

Medium

Streptococcus agalactiae / S. iniae

Erratic swimming, spinning or corkscrew motion, exophthalmia (bulging eyes) and corneal opacity, darkened skin, and sudden mass mortality events, especially during warm-water periods and after handling stress.

Prevention: Avoid overstocking, maintain good water quality and adequate dissolved oxygen, reduce handling stress during warm periods, and quarantine/discard mortalities promptly to limit spread within a pond or cage.

Treatment: Improving water quality and reducing stocking density is the main non-antibiotic response; affected ponds should have water exchange increased and feeding rates reduced during an outbreak to lower organic load.