Tilapia is one of the most widely farmed fish globally, and welfare conditions in intensive tilapia production present significant challenges including crowding, water quality, and stress.
Tilapia welfare has received less attention than salmon or shrimp despite the enormous scale of production. Evidence that tilapia are sentient fish capable of stress and suffering means the crowded conditions of intensive tilapia farming may cause significant welfare harm. Dominance hierarchies mean that subordinate fish experience sustained stress from aggression. Improving tilapia welfare requires attention to stocking density, water quality management, and developing fish-appropriate assessment tools.