The Mozambique Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus), in hypersaline waters of Venezuela, Southeastern Caribbean Sea

The salinity recorded in that ecosystem varies from 32 to 71 PSU. This lagoon system is located on the North coast of the Península de Araya, constituting an advance of the invasion of this species in the Eastern coast of Venezuela. The first record of this species was on November 2017 and second in March 2023, with the capture and analysis of 17 and 19 specimens, and highlights the establishment of O. mossambicus in hypersaline waters, typical of a negative estuary.

We describe the basic morphological identification characteristics, as well as the possible pathways of the introduction. Likewise, based on the information available on its presence and establishment in at least 94 countries, and the different kinds of negative impacts it has caused on biodiversity in the invaded ecosystems, management measures are proposed. Among these measures, both the monitoring of the evolution of the species in the Chacopata and Bocaripo lagoon system and the possible changes to the native known aquatic biota stand out.