Sabaki tilapia (Oreochromis spilurus spilurus)

Scientific name: Oreochromis spilurus spilurus G?nther, 1894

The Sabaki tilapia (Oreochromis spilurus spilurus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 24–28°C (75–82°F).

Sabaki tilapia care at a glance

Temperature: 24–28°C (75–82°F)

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 14 - 17; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-13; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 9 - 10; Vertebrae: 28 - 30. Scales on cheek in 2 or 3 series. Genital papilla of male conical or club-shaped, with a sub-terminal pore. Females and immature males have a yellow-buff background color with a series of mid-lateral blotches and a more dorsal parallel series. Mature males golden-yellow; conspicuous bright blue areas on dorsal, anal and pelvic fins; orange or red dorsal lappets.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Oreochromis spilurus spilurus
Family: Cichlidae (Cichlids)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 19.2
Environment: Freshwater; brackish; benthopelagic
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Africa: Coastal rivers of Kenya from the Mwena River to the lower Athi below Lugard's Falls; also near its mouth, including Lake Chem Chem; Lower and middle Tana River, Northern Uaso Nyiro, Juba system and Webi Shebeli; Nguruman. Probably also in Lake Momello, south of the Kenya-Tanzania border.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Aquaculture: commercial; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (tm