Description

Dorsal spines (total): 15 - 17; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11 - 14; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 9 - 12; Vertebrae: 30 - 32. Diagnosis: scales on cheek in 2-3 rows; caudal scales variable, not on the inter-radial membranes except at the base; never stiffening the fin; genital papilla large and tuberculate or scalloped, tasseled in breeding males; generally lighter or darker olive-green; breeding male iridescent dark green to blue-black on head, body and vertical fins; red edge to dorsal and caudal fins (Ref. 2).

Common Names

No common names available.

Taxonomic Hierarchy

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Teleostei

Order: Cichliformes

Family: Cichlidae

Genus: Oreochromis

Species: Oreochromis mweruensis Trewavas, 1983

Climate Zone

Location

Biology

Young Oreochromis mweruensis feed on epiphytic filamentous algae in swampy areas (Ref. 2), but also accept small invertebrates and zooplankton, a tendency they lose with age (Ref. 52307). Adults feed on filamentous algae and detritus (Ref. 52307) and bottom deposits, but those that migrated to the deeper northern end feed almost exclusively on plankton (Ref. 2).

Habitat

brackish