Blackchin tilapia
📖 Overview
This species can tolerate high salinity . Adults occur abundantly in mangrove areas and ventures in to both fresh, like lower reaches of streams and salt waters in native and non-native ranges . In West Africa, they are confined to brackish lagoons and estuaries, and is abundant in the mangrove zone . They form schools; is mainly nocturnal with intermittent daytime feeding. They feed on aufwuchs and detritus , as well as on bivalves and zooplankton. Feeding behaviour: picking up and swallowing "bites" (no gill rakers) .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 15 - 17; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 12; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8 - 10; Vertebrae: 26 - 28. Diagnosis: length of caudal peduncle 0.6-0.9 times in its depth . Melanic areas in adult usually present on lower parts of head, on cleithrum and on apices of caudal and soft dorsal fins; occasional irregular and asymmetrical spots on flanks probably representing vertical bars; median spot or transverse bar on nape rather constant . : short and / or deep.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Blackchin tilapia is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Blackchin tilapia is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Spawns in shallow water close inshore. Initiative in courtship, pit digging and mating activities are taken by the female. Eventually a male is stimulated to react in a mainly passive manner and a pair-bond is established; sexual dimorphism minimal; no T-stand by the partners during fertilization. Exhibits mouth-brooding habit . Males exclusively incubate the eggs .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; freshwater; brackish; demersal; pH range: 7.0 - 8.0; dH range: 9 - 19; non-migratory ; depth range 0 - 3 m . Tropical; 27°N - 14°S, 18°W - 31°E east one country reports adverse ecological impact after introduction.
🌿 Ecology
aufwuchs and detritus (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Blackchin 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 | 18.4 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 152 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Blackchin tilapia has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | African blackchin tilapia · blackchin mouthbreeder · blackchin tilapia |
| 🇸🇦Arabic | بلطي أسود الذقن |
| 🇩🇰Danish | Vestafrikansk mundruger |
| 🇩🇪German | Schwarzkehl-Maulbrüter · Schwarzkehlmaulbrüter · Schwarzkinn-Maulbrüter |
| 🌍EWE | Akpanoe · Ditsame |
| 🇫🇮Finnish | mustaleukatilapia |
| 🌍GLV | Furoo |
| 🌍HAU | Gargaza |
| 🌍IBO | Ifunu · Mpupa |
| 🌍KAU | Karwa |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Tilápia-de-água-salgada |
| 🌍THA | ปลาหมอคางดำ |
| 🌍YOR | Epia |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 黑頦帚齒非鯽 |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? heudelotii | Duméril | 1861 | Synonym |
| Chromis heudelotii | Duméril | 1861 | Synonym |
| Chromis macrocephalus | Bleeker | 1862 | Synonym |
| Chromis microcephalus | Günther | 1862 | Synonym |
| Melanogenes macrocephalus | Bleeker | 1863 | Synonym |
| Melanogenes microcephalus | Bleeker | 1863 | Synonym |
| Sarotherodon melanotheron heudelotii | Duméril | 1861 | Synonym |
| Sarotherodon melanotheron leonensis | Thys van den Audenaerde | 1971 | Synonym |
| Sarotherodon melanotheron melanotheron | Rüppell | 1852 | Synonym |
| Sarotherodon melanotheron paludinosus | Trewavas | 1983 | Synonym |
| Tilapia heudeloti | Duméril | 1861 | Synonym |
| Tilapia heudelotii heudelotii | Duméril | 1861 | Synonym |
| Tilapia heudelotii macrocephala | Bleeker | 1862 | Synonym |
| Tilapia leonensis | Thys van den Audenaerde | 1971 | Synonym |
| Tilapia macrocephala | Bleeker | 1862 | Synonym |
| Tilapia melanotheron | Rüppell | 1852 | Synonym |
| Tilapia microcephala | Günther | 1862 | Synonym |
| Tilapia multifasciata macrostoma | Pellegrin | 1941 | Synonym |
| Tilapia rangii | Duméril | 1861 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 126 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
No observations yet - be the first to log one!
View all observations for Blackchin tilapia ↗Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.
Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.