Otjikoto tilapia (Tilapia guinasana)

Scientific name: Tilapia guinasana Trewavas, 1936

The Otjikoto tilapia (Tilapia guinasana) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 22–26°C (72–79°F). Native range: Africa, endemic to Lake Guinas, Namibia. Introduced to Lake Otjikoto and several reservoirs in Namibia. Also occurs in subterranean rivers.

Otjikoto tilapia care at a glance

Temperature: 22–26°C (72–79°F)

Biology

Found in deep sinkhole lakes (100 m deep or more, e.g. introduced population in Lake Otjikoto, Namibia) with moderately clear water and with water temperatures ranging from 19 to 27?C. Feeds mainly on algae and diatoms. Generally congregate, breed and feed from the near-vertical shores. Use narrow shelves for breeding, with established and defended territories, both parents guard and tend eggs. Threatened due to depletion of local groundwater resources and impact of introduced species. Individuals tend to display different color patterns ranging from pure black to mottled black and blue, pink and white.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Tilapia guinasana
Family: Cichlidae (Cichlids)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 14.0
Environment: Freshwater;; pH range: 7.0 - 7.8; dH range: ? - 15 benthopelagic
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Africa: endemic to Lake Guinas, Namibia. Introduced to Lake Otjikoto and several reservoirs in Namibia. Also occurs in subterranean rivers.
Conservation status (IUCN): Critically Endangered (CR) (B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii))
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Aquarium: commercial
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)