Why are tilapia raised in sewage plants?

Answer 1

No, they aren't. There was a Dirty Jobs episode where tilapia were used to clean the tanks of another farmed fish. But that isn't the norm for grocery store fish.

Tilapia are bottom feeders in nature, as are crab, catfish halibut, flounder, plaice, sole, eels, cod, haddock, bass, grouper, carp, bream (snapper). And we don't seem to have any issues with eating those fish.

Tilapia we buy in stores are pond raised, and they have a varied diet. See the related link below for a well-researched article on the topic.

Answer 2

Use Of Tilapia In Sewage Treatment And Insect/Weed Control

Because of the tilapia's tolerance to low dissolved oxygen levels and poor water quality; plus its ability to strain nutrients from the water, this fish is very suitable for use in sewage lagoons and oxidation ponds as a biological filter.

Several species of tilapia, most notably T. zilli, have been stocked in roadside ditches and irrigation canals for the control of aquatic vegetation and mosquitoes. Their tolerance of poor water quality and the omnivorous feeding habits of some of the species make the tilapia a good choice for control of many of these weeds and insects.

Answer 3

It is reported that tilapia might be fed animal faeces in China.

It is inevetable the tilapia will be eating other tilapia or other fishes faeces that will be is the water in which they are farmed.

Over 95 percent of tilapia consumed in the U.S. in 2013 came from overseas, and 73 percent of those imports came from China. One reason is that the fish thrives in a subtropical climate, making it a difficult fish to farm in most of the U.S.A..

A 2009 study conducted by the Economic Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture cited some alarming facts about Chinese farm-raised seafood. Researchers noted that "many of China's farms and food processors are situated in heavily industrialized regions where water, air and soil are contaminated by industrial effluents and vehicle exhaust." The report also stated that it "is common practice to let livestock and poultry roam freely in fields and to spread livestock and poultry waste on fields or use it as fish feed.".

Americas Tilapia Alliance's Picchietti has stated that he is not aware of the practice of feeding animal feces to tilapia in the U.S.A.

Answer 4

These fish are native to Africa and were first 'aquacultured' in ancient Egypt. Today they are farm-raised throughout the world.

Answer 5

NO, they do not live in sewers

Answer 6

Yes.