Kariba tilapia
📖 Overview
Forms schools . Is mainly diurnal; salt-tolerant . Feeds mainly on (filamentous) algae and diatoms, as well as higher plants , dipterous larvae, cladocerans, copepods , aquatic and terrestrial insects, shrimps, worms and mollusks . Mouthbrooder; spawns several times per year .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 16 - 17; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 13; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 10 - 12; Vertebrae: 29 - 30. Diagnosis: jaws greatly enlarged in mature males; scales in 2-3 rows on cheek; caudal peduncle relatively shorter than in O. mossambicus . In life greenish grey , green-blue or grey-blue with a darker spot on each scale . Females and immature males often with 1-3 dark mid-lateral blotches , which may appear only as the fish dies . Breeding males: predominantly iridescent blue-green to bronze , with iridescent spots on dorsal and caudal fins , a dorsal fin with a red edge that is not as pronounced as in O. mossambicus, and a narrow (as opposed to wide) red band at posterior end of caudal fin . : short and / or deep; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Kariba tilapia is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Kariba tilapia is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Nest a saucer-shaped depression with a raised mound in the middle , made by the male in a breeding arena in shallow water down to about 4m . Females are lured to these through male courtship displays; female collects eggs in mouth after spawning and fertilisation, and moves off; mouthbrooding females may shoal together and do not feed at this time; eggs hatch after about ten days but remain in the mouth for a further few days; juveniles make short feeding sorties once the storage yolk is used up, but seldom stray far and dart into her mouth when danger threatens; after about another 10 days young are released in warm shallow water in the margins (nursery areas), where they feed independently in small shoals . Young released from mouthbrooding female are about 1cm long . Female returns to the breeding arena where she spawns again .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; benthopelagic. Tropical; 10°S - 19°S
🌿 Ecology
(filamentous) algae (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Kariba tilapia is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Detailed nutritional data for Kariba tilapia is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Kariba tilapia has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Kariba Tilapia · Kurper bream · Mortimer's Tilapia · Mozzie |
| 🌍AFR | Kariba-kurper |
| 🌍CES | tlamoun Mortimerův |
| 🇫🇮Finnish | karibantilapia |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sarotherodon mortimeri | Trewavas | 1966 | Synonym |
| Sarotherodon mossambicus mortimeri | Trewavas | 1966 | Synonym |
| Tilapia mortimeri | Trewavas | 1966 | Synonym |
| Tilapia mossambica mortimeri | Trewavas | 1966 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) — 81 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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