This book describes, in detail, the principles and practice of tilapia culture. All aspects of the subject are covered, from basic biology, environmental requirements, nutrition and reproduction, to culture in intensive and semi-intensive systems. There is also discussion of stress and diseases, harvesting and marketing of farmed tilapia, the role of tilapia culture in rural development and environmental impact of tilapia culture. Tilapia are sometimes known as "aquatic chicken", due to their high growth rates, adaptability to a wide range of environmental conditions, ability to grow and reproduce in captivity and feed on low trophic levels. As a result, these fishes have become excellent candidates for aquaculture, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. Indeed, tilapia culture has been expanding rapidly, and is now practised in more than one hundred countries worldwide. This book is designed for students, researchers and practitioners in aquaculture.