Tilapia is the generic name of member of the family Cichlidae with more than 1,600 diverse
species. Many species of this family are known as ornamental fish and some of them have
commercial value. Tilapia introduced in parts of Asia since the 1930s with the introduction of the
species Oreochromis mossambicus to Java as ornamental fish. Now, tilapia is produced in more
than 135 countries around the world. Rapid growth, high resistance against a wide range of
environmental conditions, tolerance to some of diseases and stress, high reproducibility, and short
reproductive cycle in captivity and low nutrients consumption are the most important characteristics
of tilapia fish. Studies about tilapia aquaculture in Iran have been started since November 2008 in
the Salt water National Research Center in the Bafgh city in Yazd province of IR Iran. Research
projects tended to obtain technical knowledge of different aspects of breeding and culture of tilapia
in brackish water condition. Despite the high demand, the introduction of this fish has been stopped
to aquaculture industry of Iran. The main reason could be environmental views that worry about
entry of tilapia to native water resources of Iran, however many instructions and inhibitor
techniques have been proposed for mentioned viewpoint. It should be noted that countries
neighboring Iran have produced tilapia during last decades. The present report concerns tilapia
production activity in some countries neighboring Iran.