Review on the Iranian Members of the Family Cichlidae (Actinopterygii) with First Record of Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus

This study was aimed to review the status and distribution of the members of Cichlidae family in the Iranian inland waters along with first report of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticu from Iran. After sampling, examination of museum’s specimens and review of articles on the members of this family, presence of six species in four genus, including Amatitlania nigrofasciata (Namak Lake and Hormozgan basins), Coptodon zillii (Persian Gulf basin), Iranocichla hormuzensis (Hormozgan basins), I. persa (Makran basin), Oreochromis aureus (Persian Gulf basin) and O. niloticus (Persian Gulf basin) were confirmed in the Iranian inland water. The results also revealed the extensions of their distribution range. Two species out of six reported species are endemic and others exotic. Although most of the exotic species have no remarkable effect on their living ecosystem, but some of them can have negative environmental and economic impacts. Therefore, it is necessary to fulfil a comprehensive evaluation of their impacts on the inhabiting environments to protection of native fishes as well as sustainable exploitation.