Redbelly tilapia

📖 Overview

Highly adaptable and tolerates varying water qualities ; they are tolerant of a wide range of temperatures and salinities , even surviving marine conditions . Extended temperature range 6.5 - 42.5 °C, natural temperature range 10.5 - 36°C . Occasionally form schools; mainly diurnal. Adults prefer shallow, vegetated areas . Fry are common in marginal vegetation and juveniles are found in the seasonal floodplain. Herbivorous , adults feed on leaves and stems of underwater plants as well as algae and vegetative detritus . A substrate spawner ; male and female form pairs to rear the young ; aggs and larvae are usually guarded in a pit dug in the mud . Parental care is very thorough and undertaken by both parties; large specimens may deposit 1000 eggs per spawn, preferably on hard surfaces; hatching occurs about 96 hours post spawning, and juveniles swim freely about 4-6 days later . Larvae develop in close association with substrate.

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 13 - 16; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 14; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8 - 10. Diagnosis: A large, deep-bodied species with a narrow head and small strong jaws; generally has a bright red belly and prominent vertical barring . Upper profile of head not convex; lower pharyngeal bone about as long as broad, and with anterior lamella shorter than toothed area; median pharyngeal teeth not broadened; dorsal fin with 14-16 spines and 10-14 soft rays; 8-11 lower gillrakers; dark longitudinal band appears on flanks when agitated; no bifurcated dark vertical bars on flanks; dorsal and caudal fins not or feebly blotched . Body brownish-olivaceous with an iridescent blue sheen; lips bright green . Chest pinkish . Dorsal, caudal and anal fins brownish-olivaceous with yellow spots, dorsal and anal fins outlined by narrow orange band; "tilapian" spot large, extending from last spine to 4th soft ray and always bordered by yellow band . Specimens of 2-14 cm standard length with completely yellowish or greyish caudal fin without dots, but tend to develop a greyish caudal fin with dots of increasing size during development; above 14 cm standard length, this species has greyish caudal fins with dots on entire caudal fin . The sexes look very similar, although in a mated pair the male is usually larger . Difficult to distinguish reliably from Coptodon rendalli, but C. zillii can have a less-steep head profile and more prominent vertical bars; in East Africa, the tailfin of C. rendalli is often divided into a brown/grey upper part and red/yellowish lower part, whereas the tail of C. zillii is more uniform throughout . : fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Redbelly tilapia is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Redbelly tilapia is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Spawns in lake bottoms with pebbles or sand and abundant vegetation . Lays adhesive eggs on the substratum which are guarded by both parents . Reported to deposit and guard eggs in shallow nest . Produces up to 1000 eggs .

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; brackish; benthopelagic; pH range: 6.0 - 9.0; dH range: 5 - 20; potamodromous ; depth range 1 - 7 m . Tropical; 11°C - 36°C ; 35°N - 9°S, 17°W - 36°E South Morocco, Sahara, Niger-Benue system, rivers Senegal, Sassandra, Bandama, Boubo, Mé, Comoé, Bia, Ogun and Oshun, Volta system, Chad-Shari system (Ref.

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Redbelly tilapia is an edible species."

⚡ Nutrition

Per 100g cooked — Source: USDA FoodData Central

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Redbelly tilapia has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

🐠 Related Species

🔍 Similar Species

👥 Community & Contribute