Okavango tilapia
📖 Overview
Occurs in swamps and floodplain habitats, especially enriched pans and well-vegetated shallow littoral margins of drainage rivers. Feeds on detritus, soft plants and insect larvae. Males establish a territory and attract a ripe female to form a pair bond. Females construct a saucer-shaped nest in which eggs are laid and fertilized then tended mainly by the female while the male guards the territory .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Physical description for Okavango tilapia is currently being compiled.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Okavango tilapia is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; benthopelagic. Tropical; 10°S - 21°S known from the Okavango delta (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
detritus, soft plants and insect larvae
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Okavango 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 Okavango tilapia is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Okavango 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 | Okavango Tilapia |
| 🌍AFR | Okavango-kurper |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Tilápia-de-Okavango |
| 🌍TSN | Tlhapi |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pelmatochromis ruweti | Poll & Thys van den Audenaerde | 1965 | Synonym |
🦠 Common Diseases
The following diseases are known to affect Okavango tilapia.
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 13 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
No observations yet - be the first to log one!
View all observations for Okavango 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.