Lake Chala tilapia
📖 Overview
Only found in Lake Chala ; several non-native tilapias are now established in this small lake as a result of stocking, and Oreochromis hunteri is apparently much less common than previously . Sometimes swimming in shoals . It feeds on algae and debris off the bottom between the rocks near the shore . A maternal mouthbrooder . Fished in Lake Chala . IUCN conservation status is critically endangered .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 16 - 17; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11 - 13; Anal spines: 3 - 4; Anal soft rays: 10 - 16; Vertebrae: 31 - 34. Diagnosis: A large bodied tilapia, with a relatively large and forward-facing snout, body at least 2.8 times as long as deep . The species can be distinguished by following characters: teeth very small, in narrow bands; pharyngeal bone narrow, its width about 26% length of head, with fine teeth, crowded posteriorly, the blade equal to the median length of the toothed area in young, about 1.5 times as long in adults; pectoral fin usually less than 36% of standard length; anal spines III-IV; scales of chest and belly very small, in some individuals showing an abrupt transition from the flank scales for a short distance behind the pectoral-pelvic interspace; in some the dorsal scales may also be small; and caudal peduncle at least 1.3 times longer than deep . Males characterised by an intricate melanin pattern on the head, flank scales that are darker towards posterior side, and a background light grey-blue colour; the dorsal region is darker than the ventral, and ripe males with dark pectoral, anal, caudal fins, while the dorsal fin is dark with orange margins; females with less contrasting colours, with flanks uniformly grey or olive, with a lighter ventral region . : short and / or deep; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Lake Chala tilapia is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Lake Chala tilapia is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
A maternal mouthbrooder .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; benthopelagic. Tropical endemic to Lake Chala in Kenya (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
algae and debris off the bottom between the rocks near the shore (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sarotherodon hunteri | Günther | 1889 | Synonym |
| Tilapia hunteri | Günther | 1889 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 2 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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