Description

Dorsal spines (total): 15 - 18; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 13; Anal spines: 3 - 4; Anal soft rays: 9 - 11; Vertebrae: 27 - 29. Diagnosis: A small medium-sized tilapia, with a relatively deep, flattened body and small head and jaws (Ref. 118638). Lower jaw not longer than 34% of the head, preorbital depth not more than 23.2%; teeth of jaws and pharynx very small, those of the lower pharyngeal restricted to the posterior part of the pad; 27-29 vertebrae (Ref. 2). Scales on lateral line 28-30 (Ref. 2, 34290, 54836), rarely 31 or 32 (Ref. 2). Gill-rakers on lower part of first gill-arch 19-24 (Ref. 34290, 54836). Length/depth ratio of caudal peduncle 0.5-0.8 (Ref. 34290). Males are black with white spots on the flanks and fins; females are more olive coloured, with pale ventral regions, faint vertical barring and dark anal and tail fins (Ref. 2, 4903, 34290, 118638). Lower lip often bluish-white; 8 to 12 dark vertical stripes sometimes visible on flanks (Ref. 2, 4903, 34290). Dorsal, anal and caudal fins dark; soft dorsal, entire caudal and anal fins with well-defined bluish-white spots (Ref. 4903, 34290). Genital papilla intensely white in both sexes (Ref. 2). Ground color in breeding males changes to dark blue-black, whilst whitish spots on body and fins are intensified; eye outstanding with its bright amber iris crossed by a black bar (Ref. 2, 4903, 34290).

Common Names

No common names available.

Taxonomic Hierarchy

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Teleostei

Order: Cichliformes

Family: Cichlidae

Genus: Oreochromis

Species: Oreochromis leucostictus (Trewavas, 1933)

Climate Zone

Location

Biology

Occupies an inshore zone and is common in lagoons (Ref. 87). Occasionally forms schools (Ref. 2, 39939). Is mainly diurnal (Ref. 2). Can tolerate considerable deoxygenation (Ref. 2, 1739, 4903, 13046, 32297) and warm temperatures (Ref. 2060), known to occur at 38.0 °C (Ref. 2). Feeds on phytoplankton (Ref. 2, 21, 4903, 34291, 55486) and detritus (Ref. 34291, 55486, 56058). Ovophilic (Ref. 2060), a maternal mouthbrooder (Ref. 4903, 34291, 55074, 118638). Males dig simple pits in shallow water (Ref. 118638). Strongly prone to precocious maturity; this makes it an undesirable aquaculture species (Ref. 118638). Caught in large numbers by small-meshed nets in shallow swampy areas, where it has become established (Ref. 118638). When stocked along with Nile tilapia, probably will assist in filling all suitable niches and competitively excluding native species (Ref. 118638).

Habitat

benthopelagic