The demand for the Tilapia fish, also known as ‘Jalebi’ in the country, is quite high. Many people enjoy eating this fish, which is why it’s popular. It’s often called ‘poor man’s fish’ because it is inexpensive and high in protein. This fish is commonly found in freshwater sources like ponds, lakes, rivers, and streams. Recently, however, it has also been seen swimming in the sea and establishing habitats there, which has surprised researchers.
Professor Muthusami Anand from the Marine and Coastal Studies Department at Madurai Kamaraj University led this research. Along with him, Dr. Kannan, Chairperson of Environmental and Natural Resources at the same university, and Swarnendra and Saumilipal from the National Institute of Oceanography participated in the study. They collected samples from three areas near Devi Patinam Beach and found groups of Tilapia fish in the Pak Bay. They observed these fish at depths of 2 to 5 meters in the sea, ranging from 14 cm to 23 cm in length. Both male and female fish were found, indicating they are reproducing. Researchers suspect these fish may have come from the Vaigai River.
Lab research on these fish revealed some interesting findings. Tilapia seems to adapt to its environment, changing itself according to whether it’s in fresh or saltwater. Examination of their stomach contents showed they are feeding on soft sea creatures like copepods, mollusks, small plankton, and polychaete worms, which helps them grow. Professor Anand expressed concern that if these fish continue to thrive in the sea, they could pose a serious threat to marine life that serves as their food. He emphasized the need for more research on this issue.
Source: Eenadu