Tilapia is the common name now applied to three genera and species of fish in the family Cichlidae: Oreochromis, Sarotherodon, and Tilapia. Native to Africa and the Middle East, these species have been distributed throughout the world and have become the second most important food fishes in the world (Watanabe et al., 2002). Tilapias possess an impressive range of attributes that make them ideal for aquaculture. They grow rapidly, reproduce easily, adapt to a wide range of environmental conditions and accept artificial feeds readily. They have good-tasting flesh with a mild flavor, are widely accepted as food fish, are used in many cuisines, and their consumption is not restricted by religious observances.