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 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.
Breeds
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.
Reaches market size (300-500g) up to 30-40% faster than unimproved local strains under equivalent pond conditions, improving cycle turnover for farmers.
Chitralada
A Thai-origin improved Nile Tilapia strain valued for good growth performance and adaptability, widely distributed to Kenyan hatcheries alongside GIFT stock.
Solid growth rate and disease hardiness under earthen-pond conditions, though generally slightly slower growing than top GIFT lines.