4, see text Chromis Günther, 1862 (non Cuvier, 1814: preoccupied) Tilapia is a genus of cichlid fishes endemic to freshwater habitats in Southern Africa.

In the past this was a very large genus including all species with the common name tilapia, but today the vast majority are placed in other genera.

[1] In the past, Oreochromis and Sarotherodon were retained in the genus Tilapia, but these are treated as separate genera by all recent authorities.

[2] Even with this more restricted Tilapia, there were indications that the taxonomic treatment was problematic, and in 2013 a review of the group resulted in the removal of most "Tilapia" species to the genera Coelotilapia, Coptodon, Heterotilapia and Pelmatolapia.

[1] With these as separate genera, only four species remain in Tilapia:[1] Temporarily retained here, but belonging elsewhere:[1]