From;
/pests/invasive-animals
Tilapia were introduced into Australia in the 1970s as ornamental fish and are now a major threat to Australia's native biodiversity.
Females carry their eggs and small fry in their mouths, and these can survive for a long time after the adult dies.
Therefore, releasing living or dead fish into waterways can cause new infestations.
Tilapia is a restricted noxious fish under the Biosecurity Act 2014.
From; Wikipedia
Tilapia become a problematic invasive species because of the new warm-water habitats such as Australia.
But in North America it is the fourth-most consumed fish in the United States dating back to 2002.
The popularity of tilapia came about due to its low price, easy preparation, and mild taste.
'In the United States, tilapia are found in much of the south, especially Florida and Texas, and as far north as Idaho, where they survive in power-plant discharge zones.
Tilapia are also currently stocked in the Phoenix, Arizona, canal system as an algal growth-control measure.'