Tilapia mariae (Cichlidae) is a tropical teleost, native to West African coastal drainages in the Gulf of Guinea
and naturalised in the USA, Australia and possibly Russia. This paper reviews published information on the species from
its native and introduced range to improve the effective management of fisheries as well as manage current infestations,
reduce further spread and promote research on control measures outside its natural range. Within its natural range, the
species is abundant and contributes to the local subsistence and artisanal fisheries; however, it is not extensively utilised for
aquaculture. Outside its native range, it has proliferated, particularly in disturbed aquatic ecosystems. Tilapia mariae has
several characteristics that make it successful in both its natural and introduced range. These include plasticity in
reproductive behaviour (particularly parental care of the brood), a variety of feeding behaviours and dietary components,
tolerance of a wide range of environmental conditions and aggressive behaviour to other fish species. Although tilapiine
species are considered to be amongst the world’s worst invasive alien species, surprisingly little information is available on
potential impacts of T. mariae on native species and aquatic ecosystems outside its native range.