[5] Wild, natural-type Nile tilapias are brownish or grayish overall, often with indistinct banding on their body, and the tail is vertically striped.

[6] Because many tilapia in aquaculture and introduced around the world are selectively bred variants and/or hybrids, identifying them using the standard features that can be used in the wild, natural types is often not possible.

[6]In India, especially in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, the Nile Tilapia was introduced by K. Kamaraj, the then Chief Minister and has become a threat to the native fish species hence.

[9] The Nile tilapia can be found in most types of freshwater habitats, such as rivers, streams, canals, lakes, and ponds, and ranging from sea level to an altitude of 1,830 m (6,000 ft).

For example, those in the northern part of its range survive down to the coldest temperatures, while isolated populations in hot springs in the Awash basin and at Suguta River generally live in waters that are at least 32–33 °C (90–91 °F).

[8] Although Nile tilapia can survive down to relatively cold temperatures, breeding generally only occurs when the water reaches 24 °C (75 °F).

[1] Other recorded food items are detritus and aquatic insect larvae,[2] including those of mosquitoes, making it a possible tool in the fight against malaria in Africa.

However, social interactions between males in the presence of females results in higher energy expenditures as a consequence of courtship displays and sexual competition.

[13] Typical of most fish, Nile tilapia reproduce through mass spawning of a brood within a nest made by the male.

In such an arrangement, territoriality and sexual competition amongst the males lead to large variations in reproductive success for individuals in a group.

The relatively young age of sexual maturation within Nile tilapia leads to high birth and turnover rates.

[19] Furthermore, visual communication between Nile tilapia mates both stimulates and modulates reproductive behavior between partners such as courtship, spawning frequency, and nest building.

[14] Species belonging to the genus Oreochromis typically care for their young through mouthbrooding, oral incubation of the eggs and larvae.

After spawning in a nest made by a male, the young fry or eggs are carried in the mouth of the mother for a period of 12 days.

[20] However, mouthbrooding leads to significant metabolic modifications for the parents, usually the mother, as reflected by fluctuations in body weight and low fitness.

[17] Since female Nile tilapia exhibiting parental care show extended interspawning periods, one of the benefits is slowing down vitellogenesis (yolk deposition) to increase the survival rate of one's own young.

[citation needed] In Israel, Nile tilapia is commonly fried, grilled or baked with vegetables herbs and spices and eaten with rice or bulgur pilafs.

It is also baked in the oven with tahini sauce drizzled over it with potatoes, onions, asparagus, sweet peppers or tomatoes and flavored with sumac and dried mint.

[citation needed] In India, Nile tilapia is the most dominant fish in some of the South Indian reservoirs and available throughout the year.

The littoral areas of Kelavarappalli Reservoir are full of nests of Nile tilapia and they breed during south-west monsoon (July–September).