Scientific Name
Oreochromis macrochir

Common Name
Longfin tilapia

Biology
Mating territory having a central volcano-shaped mound (Ref. 2, 246, 314, 5214, 12524, 55074) with a flat or slightly concave top, surrounded by a ditch and vallum, in contrast to O. mweruensis (Ref. 2). Prefers quiet, deep water associated with aquatic vegetation, but has been collected in other habitats as well (Ref. 12524, 13337). Found at temperatures between 18 and 35?C (Ref. 54042). Has a very low salinity tolerance (Ref. 2, 58). Occasionally forms schools, is mainly diurnal (Ref. 2). Feeds mostly on detritus (Ref. 87, 7248, 44661, 52193, 52307, 56192), (blue-green) algae (Ref. 12524, 13337, 44661) and diatoms (Ref. 246, 7248, 12524, 13337, 52193). Juvenile also accepts small invertebrates and zooplankton (Ref. 7248, 52193, 52307), but lose this tendency with age (Ref. 52307). Maternal mouthbrooder (Ref. 87, 246, 314, 5214, 7248, 8600, 12524, 13337,

Classification

Classified By

Boulenger, 1912

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Perch-like fish (Perciformes)

Family

Cichlids (Cichlidae)

Distribution

Region

Africa

Distribution

Africa: Kafue, upper Zambezi, and Congo River systems; introduced elsewhere in Africa and in Hawaiian Islands Also in the Okavango and Ngami region, Cunene basin, Chambezi and Bangweulu region (Ref. 5166).

Range

5°N - 25°S

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

18 °C

Water Temperature To

35 °C

Depth From - meters

5 m

Depth To - meters

14 m

Zone

benthopelagic

Environment

Freshwater; benthopelagic; depth range 5 - 14 m (Ref. 58302)

Trophic Level

2.21 s.e. 0.11 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

43.0 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: commercial; aquaculture: commercial; gamefish: yes

Vulnerability

Low to moderate vulnerability (34 of 100)

Resilience

High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (K=0.27-1.0; tm

Threat To Humans

Unknown

IUCN Red List Status

Vulnerable (VU) (A3e)