Oreochromis mossambicus picture (mossambicus.jpg) by Beng Yong Tang
| Size (cm): | 18.5 TL, |
| Locality: | Singapore, Kallang Canal near Potong Pasir |
| Sex: | |
| Date: | 2004-07-01 |
| Remark: | O. mossambicus was introduced by the Japanese during World War 2 from Java, and is thus locally called "Japanese fish". It was extremely abundant until the early 1990s but the local population has since crashed. Suspected factors are genetic contamination by hybridization with hybrid red-tilapia (O. niloticus and O. aureus). The hybrids may have lower salinity tolerance, skewed sex ratio (more males), and later sexual maturity, all factors which will reduce the population. Other possible factors are newer introduced cichlids, like Etroplus suratensis, Cichlasoma urophthalmus, Parachromis managuensis, Cichla spp. |