Spotted tilapia (Tilapia mariae) fish species and information / pictures of Spotted tilapia - Tilapia mariae

Spotted tilapia (Tilapia mariae) fish species information

Scientific Name
Tilapia mariae

Common Name
Spotted tilapia

Biology
Dorsal spines (total): 15 - 17; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-15; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 10 - 11. Diagnosis: body rather elevated (body depth 46.9-51.6% SL) (Ref. 53405). Head profile rounded (Ref. 81260). Outer teeth on jaws bicuspid (Ref. 53405), gracile (Ref. 81260) and spatulated (Ref. 53405, 81260). Lower pharyngeal jaw teeth relatively small and narrow near posterior border of bone, forming an almost felt-like covering (Ref. 81260). Micro-gillrakers present; adults (> 150 mm) with a series of dark blotches in the middle of the flanks (sometimes body entirely blackish) (Ref. 53405, 81260). Juveniles with 7-9 large vertical bands (Ref. 53405). Ventral scales with central red spot; 12 or more rakers on lower limb of first gill arch (Ref. 81260).

Classification

Classified By
Boulenger, 1899
Class
Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)
Order
Perch-like fish (Perciformes)
Family
Cichlids (Cichlidae)

Distribution

Region
Africa
Distribution
Africa: coastal lagoons and lower river courses from the Tabou River (C?te d'Ivoire) to the Kribi River (Cameroon), but absent from the area between the Pra River (Ghana) and Benin (Ref. 53405). Also recorded from the lower Ntem, Cameroon (81260).
Range
9°N - 2°N, 9°W - 11°E

Environment

Climate
Tropical
Water Temperature From
20 °C
Water Temperature To
25 °C
Depth From - meters
Unknown m
Depth To - meters
Unknown m
Zone
demersal
Environment
Freshwater; brackish; ; pH range: 6.0 - 8.0; dH range: 5 - 19 demersal
Trophic Level
2.07 s.e. 0.00 Based on size and trophs of closest relatives
Occurs in Marine / Salt water
False
Occurs in Brackish water
True
Occurs in Fresh Water
True
Occurs on Reefs
False
Is kept in Aquariums
True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length
32.3 cm
Common Length
17.5 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: ; aquarium: commercial
Vulnerability
Low to moderate vulnerability (28 of 100)
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Fec = 2,000)
Threat To Humans
  Harmless
IUCN Red List Status
  Least Concern (LC)