Tilapia is tasty. This Cuban stamp from 1994 is one of a series featuring aquiculture.
Like many scientific names on stamps, this one has changed since the stamp was issued. The current name is Tilapia zilli, the red-bellied tilapia. It is a large cichlid, related to the aquarium angelfish. They grow to around 16 inches (40), and can way up to two thirds of a pound (300 grams).
There are several species of Tilapia that are raised for food around the world. The blue tilapia, and the Nile tilapia are much larger fish, and the Mozambique tilapia is about that same size. Those latter two represent most of the tilapia produced.
Because of their size, the ease of breeding them, and their plant-based diet (they are all herbivores), they have become a favorite of fish farmers around the world. Many of the other farmed fish, particularly salmon and trout, need a diet full of animal protein. So other species of fish are caught to supply those fishes with their food before they can come to our table. Tilapia, on the other hand, thrive on plant material, much like small aquatic cows.
There has been some controversy over the cleanliness of fish farms in Asia that grow the fish, but fish from other parts of the world should not be avoided on their account.
The fish also can become serious pests if they escape or are released into the wild. They do eat a lot of vegetation, and can wipe out plants in a body of water fairly quickly.
Even a single pair can bring destruction, as a female may lay up to 1000 eggs every 4 to 5 weeks. The parents are doting, and care for the eggs and then the fry for some time. The young fish will eat younger fish, but even so, any body of water could be quickly overwhelmed without efficient predators.
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