Description

Dorsal spines (total): 16 - 17; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12 - 13; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 10 - 12; Vertebrae: 29 - 30. Diagnosis: A large bodied Oreochromis, characterised by a deep body, short snout and 3-4 blotches on the flank coupled with around 6 faint wide vertical bars (Ref. 118638). It is a tasselled species, resembling Oreochromis upembae from which it differs in the following features: mid-lateral blotches present as in O. upembae, caudal fin either without spots or with a few irregularly arranged or in quincunx; caudal rays variously scaly but the inter-radial membranes usually free of scales; vertebrae 29-30; scales in lateral line series 30-32; dorsal spines XVI-XVII, soft rays 12-13; and outer teeth mainly bicuspid, but often including a few tricuspids (Ref. 2). With grey/green fins and flanks; male dorsal and caudal fins have red/orange margins; ripening males reported to be dark green-grey, possibly almost black (Ref. 118638).

Common Names

No common names available.

Taxonomic Hierarchy

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Teleostei

Order: Cichliformes

Family: Cichlidae

Genus: Oreochromis

Species: Oreochromis malagarasi Trewavas, 1983

Climate Zone

Location

Biology

Inhabits rivers and swamps (Ref. 4967). It feeds on the soft, flocculent bottom deposits, which consisted of finely divided plant material and many protozoa, bacteria, algae and detritus (Ref. 2, 52307); the young were feeding on fish offal near canoe-landings (Ref. 2). A maternal mouthbrooder (Ref. 118638). A locally important species in artisanal fisheries (Ref. 118638); it contributes to swamp fishery (Ref. 4967). Recorded from aquaculture ponds near Kigoma (Ref. 118638).

Habitat

benthopelagic