part of the Cichlidae family.
two species have established in Queensland - the Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) and the spotted tilapia (Tilapia mariae)
O. mossambicus can grow to more than 36 cm and can live up to 13 years. They are usually dark grey or almost black but can be silver with 2-5 dark blotches/spots on the side. Breeding males can have red tips on their fins
T. mariae range from dark olive-green to light yellow and they have 8 or 9 dark bars or blotches on the sides (more evident in younger fish). They can grow to 30 cm
both species are deep-bodied with a thin profile and have long pointed fins.