Oreochromis aureus

Oreochromis aureus

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1) (Pan-Africa)
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Cichliformes
Family: Cichlidae
Genus: Oreochromis
Species:
O. aureus
Binomial name
Oreochromis aureus
(Steindachner, 1864)
Synonyms
  • Chromis aureus Steindachner, 1864
  • Sarotherodon aureus (Steindachner, 1864)
  • Tilapia aurea (Steindachner, 1864 )
  • Tilapia nilotica exul Steinitz, 1951
  • Tilapia aurea exul Steinitz, 1951
  • Tilapia monodi Daget, 1954
  • Tilapia lemassoni Blache & Miton, 1960
  • Tilapia kashabi Elster, 1958 (ambiguous)
  • Tilapia kacherbi Wunder, 1960 (ambiguous)

The blue tilapia (Oreochromis aureus) is a species of tilapia, a fish in the family Cichlidae. Native to Northern and Western Africa, and the Middle East, through introductions it is now also established elsewhere, including parts of the United States, where it has been declared an invasive species and has caused significant environmental damage. It is known as the blue kurper in South Africa.