Scientific Name
Sarotherodon linnellii

Common Name
Blackfin tilapia

Biology
Dorsal spines (total): 14 - 16; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-12; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8 - 11; Vertebrae: 29. Diagnosis: 15-20 rakers on lower limb of first arch; 30-32 scales in lateral line (Ref. 81260). Body dark grey or green (Ref. 2, 81260). Head large, especially in adults (Ref. 2), its length 37-45% of standard length (Ref. 81260). Jaw teeth very small (Ref. 81260). Breeding males green; intense tilapia-mark present in young until about 10 cm SL, absent above 15 cm SL; as the gonads mature the lower parts of the head and the flanks become more metallic and green; most brooding females silver grey in general color; fins mainly of a neutral color; pelvic fins may be yellow (Ref. 2).

Classification

Classified By

L?nnberg, 1903

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Perch-like fish (Perciformes)

Family

Cichlids (Cichlidae)

Distribution

Region

Africa

Distribution

Africa: endemic to Lake Barombi Mbo, West Cameroon (Ref. 4999, 81260).

Range

5°N - 4°N

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

24 °C

Water Temperature To

26 °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Freshwater; demersal

Trophic Level

2.57 s.e. 0.26 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

18.5 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5001 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: ; aquaculture: likely future use

Vulnerability

Low to moderate vulnerability (26 of 100)

Resilience

High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Critically Endangered (CR) (B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii))