Water temperature is the most critical environmental parameter for tilapia welfare, with suboptimal temperatures causing immune suppression, stress, and mortality.
Tilapia are highly temperature-sensitive fish whose welfare degrades rapidly outside their optimal range. Chronic exposure to suboptimal temperatures below 22 degrees Celsius suppresses immune function and growth, causing welfare harm without acute mortality. Rapid temperature drops cause cold shock with acute physiological stress and high mortality. In tropical aquaculture, dry season temperature drops in shallow ponds pose seasonal welfare risks. Welfare-focused temperature management maintains stable temperatures within the optimal range and avoids rapid changes through careful system management.