Mango tilapia
📖 Overview
Has been known to occur at 9°C; occasionally form schools; territorial . Adults prefer open waters but juveniles and breeding adults are found inshore . Often associated with beds of submerged vegetation in Sudd lakes; feed on algae and fine organic debris; bi-parental mouthbrooder. Lacks marked sexual dichromatism when sexually active; forms temporary pair bonds . Maximum size recorded at 41.0 cm TL.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 14 - 17; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11 - 14; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 9 - 12; Vertebrae: 27 - 31. Diagnosis: 20-27 rakers on lower limb of first arch; length of lower pharyngeal jaw < 43.5% of head length; 29-32 scales in lateral line series; toothed area of lower pharyngeal jaw broad > 2-3 times in keel length . Upper profile of snout straight or slightly arched . Head length 32.5-39.0% SL . 27-30 total dorsal-fin rays (average 28-29); body depth 43.0-56.5% SL (usually over 45%); length of pectoral fins 36.0-50.0% SL; interorbital space 36.0-44.0% HL . Caudal fin naked except at base; melanin patches only in occasional individuals, not populations; reproductive individuals greyish dorsally, silvery ventrally; margin of dorsal and caudal fins pinkish; pectoral usually extending to above vent or spinous anal fin; males with longer soft dorsal and anal fin-rays . : short and / or deep; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Mango tilapia is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
The initiative throughout courting and mating is taken predominantly by the female; female mainly responsible for the excavation of nest and defending mating territory. Pair-formation exists and is dissolved as soon as the eggs are in the parental mouth. Mouth brooding is reportedly biparental.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; brackish; demersal; potamodromous ; depth range 5 - ? m . Subtropical; 22°C - 28°C ; 35°N - 15°S known from the lower and middle Congo River from Matadi to Pool Malebo (=Stanley Pool) and the lower Kasai (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
algae and fine organic debris; bi-parental mouthbrooder (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Mango 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 | 18.7 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 262 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Mango tilapia has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Galilee cichlid · tilapia |
| 🇩🇪German | Tilapia |
| 🇫🇷French | tilapia |
| 🇮🇹Italian | tilapia |
| 🇳🇱Dutch | tilapia |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | tilapia |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chromis galilaeus | Linnaeus | 1758 | Synonym |
| Chromis lateralis | Duméril | 1861 | Synonym |
| Chromis microstomus | Lortet | 1883 | Synonym |
| Chromis multifasciatus | Günther | 1903 | Synonym |
| Chromis pleuromelas | Duméril | 1861 | Synonym |
| Chromis tiberiadis | Lortet | 1883 | Synonym |
| Sarotherodon galilaeus borkuanus | Pellegrin | 1919 | Synonym |
| Sarotherodon galilaeus boulengeri | Pellegrin | 1903 | Synonym |
| Sarotherodon galilaeus galilaeus | Linnaeus | 1758 | Synonym |
| Sarotherodon galilaeus multifasciatus | Günther | 1903 | Synonym |
| Sarotherodon galilaeus sanagaensis | Thys van den Audenaerde | 1966 | Synonym |
| Sarotherodon galileus | Linnaeus | 1758 | Synonym |
| Sarotherodon multifasciatus | Günther | 1903 | Synonym |
| Sarotherodon sanagaensis | Thys van den Audenaerde | 1966 | Synonym |
| Sparus galilaeus | Linnaeus | 1758 | Synonym |
| Tilapia borkuana | Pellegrin | 1919 | Synonym |
| Tilapia boulengeri | Pellegrin | 1903 | Synonym |
| Tilapia galilaea | Linnaeus | 1758 | Synonym |
| Tilapia galilaea borkuana | Pellegrin | 1919 | Synonym |
| Tilapia galilaea boulengeri | Pellegrin | 1903 | Synonym |
| Tilapia galilaea galilaea | Linnaeus | 1758 | Synonym |
| Tilapia galilaea multifasciata | Günther | 1903 | Synonym |
| Tilapia galilaea pleuromelas | Duméril | 1861 | Synonym |
| Tilapia lateralis | Duméril | 1861 | Synonym |
| Tilapia macrocentra | Duméril | 1861 | Synonym |
| Tilapia microstoma | Lortet | 1883 | Synonym |
| Tilapia multifasciatus | Günther | 1903 | Synonym |
| Tilapia pleuromelas | Duméril | 1861 | Synonym |
| Tilapia sanagaensis | Thys van den Audenaerde | 1966 | Synonym |
🦠 Common Diseases
The following diseases are known to affect Mango tilapia.
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 304 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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