Tilapia thrive in warm water and face welfare risks from both cold stress in temperate aquaculture and thermal extremes in tropical systems under climate change.
Tilapia thermal welfare reflects the dual challenge of cold stress in temperate operations and heat stress in tropical systems. UK and European tilapia aquaculture in RAS systems must maintain temperatures above 20 degrees Celsius at all times, with system failure risk significant in winter. In tropical pond systems, climate change is increasing maximum temperatures and reducing dissolved oxygen in surface water. Tilapia in severely oxygen-depleted ponds surface-breathe in a behavior indicating significant distress. Cold stress causes metabolic suppression, reduced immune function, and winter mortality in unheated pond systems. Providing appropriate thermal management through heating in temperate systems and aeration in tropical ponds is essential for tilapia welfare.