Victoria tilapia (Oreochromis variabilis)

Scientific name: Oreochromis variabilis Boulenger, 1906

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

Victoria tilapia care at a glance

Temperature: 24–28°C (75–82°F)

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 16 - 18; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-12; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 9 - 11; Vertebrae: 29 - 31. Margin of the dorsal fin orange in females and non-breeding males; intense orange to scarlet in breeding males. Profile convex immediately before the eye. Usually 2 rows of scales on cheek. Caudal not heavily scaled. Preserved specimens often show 2-3 vague dark mid-lateral blotches and one on top of the peduncle. Body color grey-green.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Oreochromis variabilis
Family: Cichlidae (Cichlids)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 30.0
Depth range: 4–49 m (13–161 ft)
Environment: Freshwater; benthopelagic; depth range 4 - 49 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Africa: Lake Victoria and its affluent rivers; the Victoria Nile above the Murchison Falls; Lakes Kyoga, Kwania and Salisbury. It is strongly declining or has disappeared in many areas of the Lake Victoria drainage.
Conservation status (IUCN): Critically Endangered (CR) (B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v))
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: commercial; aquaculture: experimental; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Fec=500)