Magadi tilapia (Alcolapia alcalica)

Scientific name: Alcolapia alcalica Hilgendorf, 1905

Magadi tilapia (Alcolapia alcalica)

The Magadi tilapia (Alcolapia alcalica) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae. Native range: Africa, Tanzania and Kenya (Lake Natron; introduced in Lake Nakuru).

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 9 - 14; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-15; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 9 - 11; Vertebrae: 27 - 30. Mature females with an overall golden hue; males with the flanks a pale blue and the lateral parts of the lower lip swollen and brilliant. In full color the blue spots on the scales become iridescent. The genital papilla is conical, prominent and yellow in the mature male, less prominent, but swollen in the mature female. Scale rows on cheeks 3-4. Preorbital bone with only 4 pores and no scales.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Alcolapia alcalica
Family
Cichlidae (Cichlids)
Order
Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
11.6
Environment
Freshwater; benthopelagic
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Africa: Tanzania and Kenya (Lake Natron; introduced in Lake Nakuru).
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries:
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Sources

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

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