Scientific Name
Oreochromis esculentus

Common Name
Singida tilapia

Biology
Occurs at temperatures ranging from 23.0-28.0 ?C (Ref. 3). Tolerant of low oxygen concentrations (3, 48262, 52016) and high levels of carbon dioxide (Ref. 3, 52016). Occasionally forms schools (Ref. 2, 3, 363, 36900, 52061, 55020). Mainly diurnal (Ref. 2). Filter feeder (Ref. 787). Food consist almost entirely of phytoplankton (Ref. 3, 6316), mainly diatoms (Ref. 30832, 34291) but also higher plants (Ref. 27292), and small animals such as insects and their larvae, crustaceans (Ref. 4903, 27292) and worms (Ref. 27292), are taken as well, but they occur less frequently and may contribute to the diet of young fishes (Ref. 4903, 34291). Only diatoms (Ref. 4903, 54979) and some blue-green and green algae (Ref. 361) appear to be digested . Agamous (Ref. 12468), maternal moutbrooder (Ref. 363, 4903, 12468, 27292, 34291, 54840). Excellent taste, firm meat and suitable f

Classification

Classified By

Graham, 1928

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Perch-like fish (Perciformes)

Family

Cichlids (Cichlidae)

Distribution

Region

Africa

Distribution

Africa: Lake Victoria, Lake Nabugabo, Lakes Kyoga and Kwania, and the Victoria Nile above the Murchison Falls; the Malawa River (Uganda) and Lake Gangu, west of Lake Victoria. This species, which was originally endemic to Lake Victoria, is widely distributed in dams (Ref. 4967). At least one country reports adverse ecological impact after introduction.

Range

Unknown

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

24 °C

Water Temperature To

29 °C

Depth From - meters

0 m

Depth To - meters

50 m

Zone

benthopelagic

Environment

Freshwater; benthopelagic; depth range 0 - 50 m (Ref. 34291), usually ? - 20 m (Ref. 34290)

Trophic Level

2.49 s.e. 0.17 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

50.0 cm

Common Length

31.0 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: experimental

Vulnerability

Low to moderate vulnerability (31 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (tmax=10)

Threat To Humans

Potential pest (Ref. 13364)

IUCN Red List Status

Critically Endangered (CR) (A2bcde)