Where Does Spotted Tilapia Live?

Spotted Tilapia lives in specific habitats. Knowing where to look helps you find and identify it.

Where to find Spotted Tilapia

Water type

freshwater

Depth

Typically found in shallow to moderate depths, usually less than 5 meters.

Environment

Native to coastal lagoons, estuaries, rivers, and swamps in West Africa. Prefers areas with dense vegetation, submerged roots, and muddy or sandy substrates. It is highly adaptable and can tolerate a wide range of salinities (euryhaline) and water quality conditions, which contributes to its invasive success in introduced ranges.

Geographic range

Native to West Africa, from Côte d'Ivoire to Cameroon. Introduced and established in various regions globally, including parts of North America (e.g., Florida), Central and South America, Asia, and Oceania.

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