Origin: Africa and Middle
East
Impacts: The blue tilapia, established in almost all
of central and south Florida, represents a significant threat
to native ecosystems.
This fish competes with native fauna for spawning grounds,
food, and extended habitat. Certain areas with dense tilapia
populations are nearly devoid of vegetation and native fish.
The occurrence of blue tilapia drastically alters natural
fish communities. This species is a great threat to the integrity
of the Everglades National Park and other natural areas, where
it is considered a major management problem for the National
Park Service. |
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Oreochromis aureus
Photo courtesy of Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission |
