tilapia

[ tuh-lah-pee-uh, -ley- ]

noun

1. any freshwater cichlid of the genus Tilapia, of African waters: an important food fish.

tilapia

/ tɪˈlæpɪə; -ˈleɪ- /

noun

1. any mouthbrooding cichlid fish of the African freshwater genus Tilapia: used as food fishes

Word History and Origins

Origin of tilapia¹

First recorded in 1845–50; New Latin; further origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of tilapia¹

C18: from New Latin

Example Sentences

Although red snapper is faring poorly in the wild, replacing it with tilapia is not helping snapper conservation.

From Salon

Several examples of mislabelling involved substituting an expensive product for a cheaper species: tilapia for snapper, rainbow trout for Atlantic salmon.

From Salon

For instance, a cheap fish like tilapia may be given the name of a more expensive fish, like red snapper, or an endangered species might be passed off as a better-faring alternative.

From Salon

Thailand had experienced outbreaks of blackchin tilapia in the past, but none has been as widespread as this most recent episode.

From BBC

The core problem is that the blackchin tilapia prey on small fish, shrimp, and snail larvae, which are among Thailand's important aquaculture products.

From BBC