Tilapia

Tilapia is a freshwater fish known for its mild, slightly sweet flavour and firm, white flesh. It has a clean taste that takes on marinades and seasonings readily, making it a blank canvas for a wide variety of cooking styles. Its lack of a strong fishy flavour makes it popular with people who are new to eating fish.

Tilapia is one of the most commonly farmed fish globally, raised in warm freshwater ponds and tanks across Asia, Central America, and Africa. In Australia, it is available primarily as frozen fillets imported from aquaculture operations. It is suited to pan-frying, baking, grilling, and steaming.

While tilapia doesn’t have the rich flavour of ocean fish like barramundi or snapper, its affordability and versatility make it a practical everyday protein. It works particularly well in tacos, curries, and lightly crumbed or battered preparations.

Farmed
photograph to come — from twenty years of markets, farms and kitchens

How it's made

Tilapia are raised in freshwater aquaculture systems including ponds, cages, and recirculating tanks. They grow quickly and are efficient at converting feed into body mass. Once they reach market size, the fish are harvested, gutted, and filleted. The fillets are typically skinned, trimmed, and frozen shortly after processing to maintain freshness during transport to market.

Nutrition (per 100g)

Energy 96kcal
Protein 20.1g
Carbs 0g
Fat 1.7g
Fibre 0g Sugar 0g
Mass Distribution

1 fillet is about 116 g — roughly 110 kcal of this.

What it costs the planet (per kilo)

Carbon ≈5.12kg
Freshwater ≈3515.02L
Land ≈3.72

≈ Estimated — worked out from a category-typical value further up its supply chain. Where this comes from →

Where it comes from

In the kitchen

Used as

mild white fish fillet

Classic dishes
  • Fish Tacos
  • Baked Tilapia
  • Pan-fried Tilapia

Keeping one at home? Track yours in your cubud →

Where this data comes from

Nutrition data from

USDA

How it was calculated

SR Legacy

Full credits, licences, and methods: the sources page →

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