Tilapia Facts

On its own, a 3.5-ounce serving of tilapia has only 98 calories and provides 18.5 grams of protein, with no saturated fat, no cholesterol and 52 mg of sodium.

Tilapia originated in the Nile River and it is that recorded King Tut threw feed into a "muscut" (Egyptian tank), world's first recorded aquaculturalist.

After World War II, Tilapia was enjoyed around globe.

Since 2001, US Tilapia consumption has grown at an average rate of 34.7% per year.

The US market for frozen Tilapia fillets is growing faster than fresh or whole tilapias.

In addition to its versatility, pleasant flavor and low calorie count, the retail price of tilapia remains reasonable in comparison to other seafood, thanks to the efficiencies of modern aquaculture.

Tilapia is an important part of a pregnant woman's diet. A National Institute of Health study found that women who avoided eating fish during their pregnancies had children at greater risk of low verbal IQ and behavioral problems. Tilapia is on the top of the list for good fish for pregnant women to eat.

Tilapia has two to five times LESS fat than the LEANEST pork or beef.

Tilapia meat has 30 to 40 times LESS fat than bacon.

There are more than 100 species of true Tilapia as well as a number of hybrids.

Tilapia fish are often called "St. Peter's fish" due to the fact that they were the fish that Peter caught in Matthew 17:24-27. In this passage, the fish carried a shekel coin in their mouths.