Tilapia Parvovirus

• 20 Oct 2023

Tilapia parvovirus (TiPV) has been recently reported for the first time in India, affecting farm-bred tilapia, a freshwater fish species.

• The virus has led to significant mortality rates in tilapia ponds in Walajah, Ranipet district, Tamil Nadu.

Key Points

• Tilapia in India: Tilapia, often referred to as "a poor-man's fish," was introduced to Indian freshwater bodies in the 1950s, known as Jilabi in Tamil.
• These fish are capable of surviving in low-oxygen water conditions and have become invasive across the country.
• Nile Tilapia, introduced in the 1970s, is a larger variety and is widely cultured and available in markets.
• Authorized Tilapia Imports: The Indian government authorized the import of only Oreochromis niloticus and red hybrids in 1970 due to their fast growth and market demand.
• Tilapia Farming in India: Tilapia farming is carried out in various regions of Andhra Pradesh and Kerala, with the fish being sold in domestic markets as whole fish.
• In 2022, the estimated tilapia production was around 70,000 tonnes, with 30,000 tonnes coming from aquaculture.
• Global Occurrence: TiPV was first reported in China in 2019 and in Thailand in 2021. India is now the third country to report the occurrence of TiPV.