Nutritional Overview -Tilapia vs Catfish
Tilapia is a protein-dense fish, with over 40 gms of protein in a 200 calorie serving. Besides being high in proteins, it has no amounts of carbohydrates. It is also a rich source of vitamin B3 and B12. While minerals like selenium and phosphorus can also be found in abundance.
Catfish is a balanced serving of fish, which has moderate amounts of each – proteins, fats and carbohydrates. It is a good source of daily minerals and has a moderate amount of each , especially phosphorus, selenium and Iron.
When compared, tilapia has a better nutritional profile in terms of high protein density and no carbs, which is ideal for Keto or low carb diets.
However, if you’re looking for a well-balanced meal, nothing beats catfish.
Catfish also has all the right vitamins and minerals, in moderation, which may not be present in Tilapia, such as – Vitamin A. Another thing Tilapia lacks are monounsaturated fats. Catfish has almost 5 times the amount of good fats present in it compared to Tilapia.
*All data has been retrieved through the official website of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. A website reserved for agricultural research services.
Catfish has almost 5 times the amount of good fats present in it compared to Tilapia.
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Habitat
Tilapia Fish:
Tilapia originates from the Nile region of Asia and Africa. However, with time they can be found in natural warm water habitats all over the globe.
This fish typically requires warm bodies of freshwater to thrive well. The ideal water temperature for them is between 76 to 84 degrees. And water bodies like lakes and streams help them grow the best.
However, in certain conditions, Tilapia are also known to survive under brackish water. Brackish water is where the two mix together – freshwater and saltwater.
They prefer to live in areas that are lined with vegetation or plantations of some sort, like weed plants alongside the Floridian canal.
Catfish:
Catfish has a vast habitat, which means it can grow well in most places, including those that aren’t as hospitable.
While the perfect thriving conditions for catfish include slow current, warm water bodies, with gravel or rock water beds, instead of mud.
These fish are found on the lower surfaces of water, during the day. While at night they can be seen moving around in the water at all lengths.
To thrive, this fish can also live under muddy water and brackish water. They are now also found in standing water, such as in reservoirs, lakes and ponds.
Both Catfish and Tilapia are known for their thriving skills, the former, catfish more so than Tilapia.
Not only this, Catfish and Tilapia are both known to be highly invasive species.
The catfish with its high reproduction skills along with diverse food preference, quickly marks its presence in any given habitat, making sure to suppress the presence of other fish species.
Likewise, Tilapia attacks the population and habitat of other aquatic organisms that thrive on plantations. What it does is, it increases in numbers almost immediately and devours down all the plantation and leaves none for other organisms.
View Comments
Great research and response, Thanks. I worry more about being careful with Swai; Vietnamese fish markets/lack of regulation and all.
John
Thanks, John for your feedback.
While people may express concerns about the Vietnamese fish market's lack of regulations, we can however also count on regulations at the destination countries to which they are exported.
So except if you are consuming the product in Vietnam or other countries which do not enforce quality control standards, I would say there is not too much to worry about consuming swai say in the US or Canada.