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Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus and Tilapia mariae)

Hardy fish that out-compete native species in Queensland waterways and dams. Females carry eggs in their mouths, so one fish can start a new population.

Key facts

Type: Pest animal, fish.

Native to: Africa.

Established in: QLD, NSW, WA.

Other names: Mozambique tilapia, Spotted tilapia.

Identification

  • Deep-bodied fish with a long dorsal fin that is spiny at the front.
  • Spotted tilapia have dark vertical bars and spots; Mozambique tilapia males are dark with red fin edges.

Where it lives

Rivers, reservoirs, drains and dams in Queensland, plus parts of New South Wales and Western Australia.

Why it matters

  • Competition with native fish.
  • Nest building that damages aquatic plants.

How it spreads

  • Illegal movement, aquarium releases and use as bait.
  • Floods.

Control methods

  • Never return tilapia to the water alive.
  • Humane euthanasia on capture and correct disposal.

Site hygiene and welfare

  • Check, clean and dry boats, nets and pumps between water bodies.
  • Use methods set out in the national model codes of practice and standard operating procedures for the species.
  • Coordinate control with neighbours and the local government biosecurity plan, as isolated effort is quickly undone by reinvasion.

Classification by state

  • Australia (national): No national listing. Managed under state and territory law.
  • Queensland: Restricted matter, categories 3, 5, 6, 7. Do not give it away, sell or release it into the environment; do not keep it; do not feed it; kill it and dispose of it. Everyone must also take all reasonable and practical steps to minimise its risks (the general biosecurity obligation).
  • New South Wales: Notifiable aquatic pest. It must not be possessed, bought, sold, moved or released in NSW, and you must notify NSW DPIRD within one working day of finding it. The general biosecurity duty applies: anyone dealing with it must prevent, eliminate or minimise the risk it poses.
  • Victoria: Noxious aquatic species. Declared a noxious aquatic species under the Fisheries Act 1995, so it must not be brought into Victoria, kept, sold, moved or released into waters. Report any sighting to the Victorian Fisheries Authority on 13 FISH (13 3474).
  • South Australia: Noxious species. Declared a noxious species under the Fisheries Management Act 2007, so it must not be brought into South Australia, kept, sold or released, and it must not be returned to the water alive. Report any sighting to PIRSA FISHWATCH on 1800 065 522.
  • Western Australia: Noxious fish. Prescribed as a noxious fish under the Fish Resources Management Regulations 1995, so it must not be brought into WA, kept, sold or released. Report any sighting to FishWatch on 1800 815 507.
  • Tasmania: Declared pest. It is a declared pest under the Biosecurity Act 2019 (Tas). Report sightings to Biosecurity Tasmania and follow any management requirements.
  • Northern Territory: Not a declared pest. Not on an NT declared or prohibited list. Check with the NT Government before keeping, moving or releasing it.
  • Australian Capital Territory: Declared pest, notifiable, prohibited. It is a declared pest throughout the ACT. You must report it to ACT Biosecurity. Dealing with it, such as selling, moving or keeping it, is prohibited.

Legal obligations

Every state and territory places a duty on landholders and people working on land to prevent the spread of invasive species, such as the general biosecurity obligation in Queensland and the general biosecurity duty in New South Wales. Declarations and control requirements differ between states and local government areas, so check the current official list before work starts.

  • Queensland: Biosecurity Act 2014 (Qld), administered by Biosecurity Queensland (13 25 23)
  • New South Wales: Biosecurity Act 2015 (NSW), administered by NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
  • Western Australia: Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 (WA), administered by the WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development

Sources