10 Fun Facts about Tilapia

10 Fun Facts about Tilapia word “tilapia“ isn’t the name of a single species of fish; it’s a genus. There are about 100 different species of the fish. 2. Because it is easy to prepare and cook on a mass scale, tilapia has been nicknamed “aqua-chicken.“ 3. Tilapia is on the IUCN’s list of the 100 Worst Alien Invasive Species. 4. In Brazil, scientists are testing tilapia skin as a way to treat burn injuries. Photo Credit: Caters 5. Tilapia were painted on ancient Egyptian tomb walls and also included in a spell in the Book of the Dead to help the deceased take his or her place in the sun boat. 6. Because tilapia is primarily a farm-raised fish and can be genetically edited, it has been dubbed a “frankenfish.“ 7. Tilapia is the fourth most eaten fish in the United States, after tuna, salmon, and Alaskan pollock. 8. The largest tilapia ever caught weighed 9.6 pounds and was 24 inches long. In comparison, tilapia usually weigh only 2–6 lbs. 9. Biblical scholars believe that tilapia was the fish Jesus fed the crowds at the Sea of Galilee, hence its nickname, “St. Peter’s Fish.“ 10. China is the largest producer of tilapia, manufacturing over 50% of the world’s supply. Don’t forget to subscribe for more mind-blowing facts, trivia, history, and more: Check out our article on tilapia to learn even more: