Top Mouthbrooding Cichlids Fishing Countries

Top mouthbrooding cichlids, such as the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus), are freshwater fish native to Africa but widely introduced around the world due to their resilience and rapid growth. These cichlids are notable for their unique reproductive behavior, where the female (and sometimes the male) carries fertilized eggs and young fry in their mouth for protection. The fishing and aquaculture industries for mouthbrooding cichlids are especially prominent in countries like Egypt, Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, where large populations inhabit the Nile River and the African Great Lakes. Additionally, China, Indonesia, and Thailand have become leading producers through extensive aquaculture, making tilapia one of the most farmed fish globally. The industry supports food security and livelihoods, with both wild capture and farming contributing significantly to local economies and exports.

Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.