Athi River tilapia (Oreochromis spilurus niger)

Scientific name: Oreochromis spilurus niger G?nther, 1894

The Athi River tilapia (Oreochromis spilurus niger) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 24–28°C (75–82°F). Native range: Africa, Athi River and its tributaries above Lugard's Falls; upper tributaries of the Tana River in Kenya. Also known from Ethiopia.

Athi River tilapia care at a glance

Temperature
24–28°C (75–82°F)

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 17 - 19; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-12; Anal spines: 5; Anal soft rays: 9 - 10; Vertebrae: 29 - 31. Scales on cheek in 2-3 series. Breeding males with flanks silver-grey, with yellow on the outer edges of the scales; 7-9 dark vertical bars which are not always visible and quickly lost on removal from the water; lower lip yellow. Females with flanks yellowish silver with faint vertical bars and no lateral spots; lower lip white.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Oreochromis spilurus niger
Family
Cichlidae (Cichlids)
Order
Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
32.0
Environment
Freshwater; benthopelagic
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Africa: Athi River and its tributaries above Lugard's Falls; upper tributaries of the Tana River in Kenya. Also known from Ethiopia.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Aquaculture: experimental; aquarium: commercial
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (tm

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

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