Oreochromis aureus (Steindachner, 1864) [I]—Blue tilapia

Taxonomy. Original description: Chromis aureus Steindachner, 1864: 229, Pl. 8 (fig. 5) [locality unknown; no types known].— Iraq synonyms: Tilapia aurea (Steindachner, 1864).—Revisions: None.—Illustration: Steindachner (1864: 229, pl. 8, fig. 5); Esmaeili (2021: 310, fig. 17.4).

Status in Iraq. First record from Iraq by Mutlak & Al-Faisal (2009); confirmed by Al-Faisal et al. (2014).—Iraq materials: MSCUB.

Distribution and habitat. Distribution in Iraq: Euphrates River.—General distribution: Middle East and Africa. Introduced widely elsewhere.—Habitat: This species inhabits a very wide range of flowing water habitats, from fast-flowing headwaters and reservoirs to polluted canals and large lowland rivers. It is the most environmentally tolerant of all tilapia species, tolerating lack of oxygen, pollution, salinity, etc. Low water temperature (below 10–13 oC) is restricted for distribution. Freshwater, brackish.

Economic importance. Commercially important.

Reasons of introduction. Aquaculture/research.

Conservation. Not relevant (introduced species).