Genetic improvement has led to substantial increase in productivity in farmed animals and in tropical fin fish, this is evident in tilapia. The GIFT (Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia) strain of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) has been developed by the WorldFish Centre (formerly known as ICLARM), Norwegian Institute of Aquaculture Research and national research partners from Philippines (1988-1998) and from Malaysia (2000- present). Over many generations of selection, the fish show several favourable characteristics: fast growth, high fillet weight, good flesh quality, disease resistance and good adaption to various farming systems.