37. Oreochromis aureus (Steindachner, 1864) ―Blue Tilapia― Exotic

Taxonomy. Original description: Chromis aureus Steindachner, 1864:229, Pl. 8 (fig. 5) [ West Africa; Lectotype: NMW 32874]. Synonyms: Tilapia aurea (Steindachner 1864); Tilapia nilotica exul Steinitz, 1951; Tilapia lemassoni Blache & Miton, 1960; Tilapia monodi Daget, 1954 .

Status in the Arabian Peninsula. First record from Saudi Arabia by Al-Kahem-Al-Balawi et al. (2008); confirmed by Freyhof et al. (2020).

General distribution. Middle East and Africa. Introduced widely elsewhere. Habitat: freshwater, brackish.

Distribution in the Arabian Peninsula. Saudi Arabia: Wadis Haneefah and Al-Kharj, Lake Layla, Al-Ahsa Oasis, and probably several other Wadis.

Economic importance. Locally commercially important.

Reasons of introduction. Aquaculture/research.

Conservation. Not relevant (introduced species).