Referred to in the Bible, pictured on the wall-friezes of ancient Egyptian tombs, and a subject of fascination for generations of scientists, the tilapias (Cichlidae: Tilapiini) have featured in the diet and culture of humankind for thousands of years. The present century has seen their spread from Africa throughout the tropics and sub-tropics, largely for food and fisheries purposes. This book attempts to pull together our knowledge of this important group - their biology and fisheries and aquaculture - in a single volume, something that has not been done comprehensively for nearly two decades. A succession of chapters by acknowledged authorities covers evolution, phylogenetic relationships and biogeography, reproductive biology, mating systems and parental care, diet, feeding and digestive physiology, environmental physiology and energetics, the role of tilapias in ecosystems, population dynamics and management, genetics, seed production, nutrition, farming, economics and marketing. The book is aimed at biologists, fisheries scientists, aquaculturists, and all interested in aquatic ecology.

Tilapia Culture, Second Edition, covers the vital issues of farmed tilapia in the world, including their biology, environmental requirements, semi-intensive culture, intensive culture systems, nutrition and feeding, reproduction, seed production and larval rearing, stress and disease, harvesting, economics, trade, marketing, the role of tilapia culture in rural development and poverty eradication, and technological innovations in, and the environmental impacts of, tilapia culture. In addition, the book highlights and presents the experiences of leading countries in tilapia culture, thus making it ideal for tilapia farmers and researchers who seek the most relevant research and information. The new second edition not only brings the most updated information within each chapter, but also delivers new content on tilapia transfers, introductions and their impacts, the use of probiotics and other additives in tilapia culture, tilapia trade, including marketing, and sustainability approaches and practices, such as management practices, ecosystem approaches to tilapia culture, and value chain analyses of tilapia farming. - Presents the biology of tilapia, including taxonomy, body shapes, geographical distribution, introductions and transfers, gut morphology, and feeding habits - Covers semi-intensive tilapia culture in earthen ponds, tanks, raceways, cages, recirculating systems, and aquaponics - Provides the latest information on brood stock management, production of monosex tilapia, seed production, and larval rearing under different culture systems - Highlights the most common infectious and non-infectious diseases affecting farmed tilapia, with a full description of disease symptoms and treatment measures - Provides an in-depth exploration of tilapia economics, trade and marketing

The cichlid fishes are an important group, being widely used in scientific research and as popular fish with aquarists. This group contains mainly small species which adjust quickly to captivity, exhibiting a readiness to breed and long periods of parental care for the young. This books comprehensive volume describes the current knowledge on the behaviour and ecology of the cichlid fishes.

This conference brought together 19 tilapia biologists and experimental culturists from 10 countries. It was designed from the outset as a technical conference on the basic biology of the tilapias and applications in culture systems. The conference did not consider the commercial aspects of tilapia culture.

This important book covers the impact of species changes engendered by the introduction of fish species, impoundment and heavy exploitation. Aspects considered include reduction of biodiversity, the conservation of unique endemic fauna, the assessment of changes in habitat, species and genetic diversity, the evaluation of economic wealth generated by new fisheries, sustainability and social equity, and comparative forecasts from a range of management scenarios.

Awarded Bookauthority's "Best Aquaculture Books of all Time" A comprehensive resource that covers all the aspects of sex control in aquaculture written by internationally-acclaimed scientists Comprehensive in scope, Sex Control in Aquaculture first explains the concepts and rationale for sex control in aquaculture, which serves different purposes. The most important are: to produce monosex stocks to rear only the fastest-growing sex in some species, to prevent precocious or uncontrolled reproduction in other species and to aid in broodstock management. The application of sex ratio manipulation for population control and invasive species management is also included. Next, this book provides detailed and updated information on the underlying genetic, epigenetic, endocrine and environmental mechanisms responsible for the establishment of the sexes, and explains chromosome set manipulation techniques, hybridization and the latest gene knockout approaches. Furthermore, the book offers detailed protocols and key summarizing information on how sex control is practiced worldwide in 35 major aquaculture species or groups, including fish and crustaceans, and puts the focus on its application in the aquaculture industry. With contributions from an international panel of leading scientists, Sex Control in Aquaculture will appeal to a large audience: aquaculture/fisheries professionals and students, scientists or biologists working with basic aspects of fish/shrimp biology, growth and reproductive endocrinology, genetics, molecular biology, evolutionary biology, and R&D managers and administrators. This text explores sex control technologies and monosex production of commercially-farmed fish and crustacean species that are highly in demand for aquaculture, to improve feed utilization efficiency, reduce energy consumption for reproduction and eliminate a series of problems caused by mixed sex rearing. Thus, this book: Contains contributions from an international panel of leading scientists and professionals in the field Provides comprehensive coverage of both established and new technologies to control sex ratios that are becoming more necessary to increase productivity in aquaculture Includes detailed coverage of the most effective sex control techniques used in the world's most important commercially-farmed species Sex Control in Aquaculture is the comprehensive resource for understanding the biological rationale, scientific principles and real-world practices in this exciting and expanding field.

Learn to maximize tilapia production in different areas around the world Tilapia is the second-most cultured fish species in the world, and its production is increasing each year. However, for several reasons profit margins remain slim. Tilapia: Biology, Culture, and Nutrition presents respected international experts detailing every aspect of tilapia production around the world. Biology, breeding and larval rearing, farming techniques, feeding issues, post-harvest technology, and industry economics are clearly presented. This concise yet extensive reference provides the latest research and practical information to efficiently and economically maximize production in diverse locales, conditions, and climates. Tilapia: Biology, Culture, and Nutrition comprehensively explores all types of tilapia with a detailed biologic description of the fish that takes readers from egg through harvesting. The book authoritatively discusses production issues such as feed nutrition, temperature, water quality, parasites, and disease control to guide readers on how to best encourage fast, efficient growth. Economic and marketing information are examined, including industry data and projections by country. Each chapter approaches a specific facet of tilapia and provides the most up-to-date research available in that area. This resource gives the most current, detailed information needed for effective tilapia farming in one compact economical volume. Extensively referenced with an abundance of clear, helpful tables, photographs, and figures. Tilapia: Biology, Culture, and Nutrition discusses in detail: complete biology, including sex ratios, optimum temperatures for growth and spawning, water quality parameters, and disease tolerance industry predictions hormonal control of growth genetic improvement sex determination, manipulation, and control seed production culture practices earthen and lined pond production culture in flowing water cage culture feed formulation and processing, and feeding management soil, water, and effluent quality saline tolerance levels with optimum rate of acclimation to seawater polyculture of tilapia with shrimp bottom soil conditions nutrient requirements with non-nutrient components parasites and diseases Tilapia: Biology, Culture, and Nutrition is essential reading for aquaculturists, nutritionists, geneticists, hatchery managers, feed formulators, feed mill operators, extension specialists, tilapia growers, fish farmers/producers, educators, disease specialists, aquaculture veterinarians, policy makers, educators, and students.

Aquaculture pond managers measure water-quality variables and attempt to maintain them within optimal ranges for shrimp and fish, but surprisingly little attention is paid to pond soil condition. Soil-water interactions can strongly impact water quality, and soil factors should be considered in aquaculture pond management. The importance of soils in pond management will be illustrated with an example from pond fertilization and another from aeration. Pond fertilization may not produce phytoplankton blooms in acidic ponds. Total alkalinity is too low to provide adequate carbon dioxide for photosynthesis, and acidic soils adsorb phosphate added in fertilizer before phytoplankton can use it. Agricultural lime stone application can raise total alkalinity and neutralize soil acidity. The amount of limestone necessary to cause these changes in a pond depends on the base unsaturation and exchange acidity of the bottom soil. Two ponds with the same total alkalinity and soil pH may require vastly different quantities of limestone because they differ in exchange acidity. Aeration enhances dissolved oxygen concentrations in pond water and permits greater feed inputs to enhance fish or shrimp production. As feeding rates are raised, organic matter accumulates in pond soils. In ponds with very high feeding rates, aeration may supply enough dissolved oxygen in the water column for fish or shrimp, but it may be impossible to maintain aerobic conditions in the surface layers of pond soil. Toxic metabolites produced by microorganisms in anaerobic soils may enter the pond water and harm fish or shrimp.

Inland fisheries are vital for the livelihoods and food resources of humans worldwide but their importance is underestimated, probably because large numbers of small, local operators are involved. Freshwater Fisheries Ecology defines what we have globally, what we are going to lose and mitigate for, and what, given the right tools, we can save. To estimate potential production, the dynamics of freshwater ecosystems (rivers, lakes and estuaries) need to be understood. These dynamics are diverse, as are the earths freshwater fisheries resources (from boreal to tropical regions), and these influence how fisheries are both utilized and abused. Three main types of fisheries are illustrated within the book: artisanal, commercial and recreational, and the tools which have evolved for fisheries governance and management, including assessment methods, are described. The book also covers in detail fisheries development, providing information on improving fisheries through environmental and habitat evaluation, enhancement and rehabilitation, aquaculture, genetically modified fishes and sustainability. The book thoroughly reviews the negative impacts on fisheries including excessive harvesting, climate change, toxicology, impoundments, barriers and abstractions, non-native species and eutrophication. Finally, key areas of future research are outlined. Freshwater Fisheries Ecology is truly a landmark publication, containing contributions from over 100 leading experts and supported by the Fisheries Society of the British Isles. The global approach makes this book essential reading for fish biologists, fisheries scientists and ecologists and upper level students in these disciplines. Libraries in all universities and research establishments where biological and fisheries sciences are studied and taught should have multiple copies of this hugely valuable resource. About the Editor John Craig is Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Fish Biology and has an enormous range of expertise and a wealth of knowledge of freshwater fishes and their ecology, having studied them around the globe, including in Asia, North America, Africa, the Middle East and Europe. His particular interests have been in population dynamics and life history strategies. He is a Fellow of the Linnean Society of London and the Royal Society of Biology.