Shire tilapia
📖 Overview
Found in very shallow waters around Lake Malawi that are densely vegetated, but also in lagoons . It can occur at temperatures ranging from 23.0-42.0 °C . It feeds on detritus and phytoplankton . A maternal mouthbrooder . A large species heavily exploited in Lake Nyasa [= Lake Malawi] and its catchment; males in particular are fast-growing and the species is cultured commercially in Malawi in cages and ponds .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 15 - 18; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 13; Anal spines: 3 - 5; Anal soft rays: 9 - 11; Vertebrae: 29 - 30. Diagnosis: A large, deep-bodied species with 4, rarely 3 or 5, anal fin spines . Females and immatures from the Lake Malawi catchment have a dark olive-coloured body, yellow-gold below; other populations, such as those from Lakes Chilwa and Chiuta and the Ruvuma system show a more silvery colour; unusually for Oreochromis, the horizontal stripes are often more prominent than the vertical bars; adult males develop very large jaws and a concave head profile, they are black, with red margins to the dorsal and caudal fins . Underwater or in aquaria, males show numerous white spots on the upper half of the flanks, but these fade quickly under stress, so that they appear uniformly black when removed from the water . : fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Shire tilapia is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Shire tilapia is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
A maternal mouthbrooder . Builds basin-shaped nests in shallow water from 0.15 m to 1.5 m deep, in sand overlaid with mud, in the vicinity of rooted aquatic vegetation; females brood eggs and young in the mouth until the young reach a length of about 10 mm .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; brackish; benthopelagic. Tropical; 23°C - 42°C ; 13°S - 17°S
🌿 Ecology
detritus and phytoplankton (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Shire 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
Per 100g cooked — Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 17.9 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 216 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Shire tilapia has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Shiranus Tilapia |
| 🇫🇮Finnish | tummaleukatilapia |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oreochromis shiranus chilwae | Trewavas | 1966 | Synonym |
| Oreochromis shiranus shiranus | Boulenger | 1897 | Synonym |
| Sarotherodon chilwae | Trewavas | 1966 | Synonym |
| Sarotherodon shilwae | Trewavas | 1966 | Synonym |
| Sarotherodon shiranus | Boulenger | 1897 | Synonym |
| Sarotherodon shiranus chilwae | Trewavas | 1966 | Synonym |
| Sarotherodon shiranus shiranus | Boulenger | 1897 | Synonym |
| Tilapia shirana | Boulenger | 1897 | Synonym |
| Tilapia shirana chilwae | Trewavas | 1966 | Synonym |
| Tilapia shirana shirana | Boulenger | 1897 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) — 9 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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