Tilapia Parvovirus

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.