DID YOU KNOW?
FISHY FACTS
- Aquaculture is thought to be as old as 4000 years, and originated in China.
- It is believed that Nile Tilapia were first farmed in Egypt thousands of years ago. They even have their own hieroglyph.
- Tilapia are primarily herbivorous, thus do not require animal based protein feed. This makes them a more sustainable option than other fish, and lowers the cost for farmers.
- Tilapia is not a single species, but is a genus. There are over one hundred different species of the fish.
- Tilapia is the second most farmed fresh water fish in the world after carp.
- The Nile tilapia is also known as St. Peter’s fish. It is thought to be the fish the apostle Peter caught when Jesus told him to go fishing. Gospel of St. Matthew (17: 24-27)
- Tilapia is the fourth most consumed fish in the US, and demand is steadily increasing.
Egyptian Hieroglyph for Tilapia
Central Garden Pool in the Garden of Nebamun’s Tomb Painting
Egyptian Cornelian Amulet of a Nile Tilapia
