Some cichlids have been found to hybridise with closely related species quite readily, both in the wild and under

artificial conditions. This is not particularly unusual, having been observed among other groups of fishes, such as European

cyprinids. What is unusual is the extent to which cichlid hybrids have been put to commercial use, in particular as food fish

and as aquarium fish. The red strain of tilapia hybrid, for example, is often preferred in aquaculture as they have faster growth

rates. Tilapia hybridisation is also used to produce all-male populations to control stock density and prohibit reproduction in ponds.