Tilapia is one of the world's most farmed fish species, and welfare concerns in tilapia aquaculture include overcrowding, water quality, disease management, and slaughter practices.
Tilapia welfare in intensive aquaculture systems can be severely compromised by overcrowding, which leads to chronic stress, fin damage from aggression, and suppressed immune function. Poor water quality - particularly low dissolved oxygen - is a frequent welfare challenge in intensive pond and cage systems. Disease management often relies on antibiotic use, which can fail to address underlying welfare problems. Slaughter welfare is rarely regulated in tilapia producing countries. Certification schemes are beginning to address tilapia welfare through improved stocking standards.