Tilapia has become the third most important fish in aquaculture after carp and salmon;

worldwide production exceeded 1,500,000 metric tons in 2002 and increases annually.

 

Because of their high protein content, large size, rapid growth (6 to 7 months to grow to harvest size), and palatability, a number of tilapiine cichlids—specifically, various species of Oreochromis, Sarotherodon, and Tilapia—are the focus of major aquaculture efforts.

 

--Source: Wikipedia.