Classification / Names
Common names from other countries
Main reference
Size / Weight / Age
Max length : 19.2 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 2); 16.3 cm (female)
Environment
Freshwater; brackish; benthopelagic
Climate / Range
Tropical; 24°C - 28°C (Ref. 2059), preferred ?; 23°N - 7°S
Distribution
Africa: Coastal rivers of Kenya from the Mwena River to the lower Athi below Lugard's Falls; also near its mouth, including Lake Chem Chem; Lower and middle Tana River, Northern Uaso Nyiro, Juba system and Webi Shebeli; Nguruman; and Ethiopia. Probably also in Lake Momello, south of the Kenya-Tanzania border. Three subspecies are recognized: Oreochromis spilurus niger, Oreochromis spilurus percivali and Oreochromis spilurus spilurus.
Countries | FAO areas | Ecosystems | Occurrences | Introductions
Short description
Dorsal
spines
(total): 14 - 17;
Dorsal
soft rays
(total): 10-13;
Anal
spines: 3;
Anal
soft rays: 9 - 10;
Vertebrae: 28 - 30. Scales on cheek in 2 or 3 series. Genital papilla of male conical or club-shaped, with a sub-terminal pore. Females and immature males have a yellow-buff background color with a series of mid-lateral blotches and a more dorsal parallel series. Mature males golden-yellow; conspicuous bright blue areas on dorsal, anal and pelvic fins; orange or red dorsal lappets.
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 115185)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Aquaculture: commercial; aquarium: commercial
Tools
Special reports
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Internet sources
Estimates of some properties based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index
PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)
Trophic Level
2.6 ±0.35 se; Based on food items.
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (tm<=1: multiple spawning per year)
Vulnerability
Low vulnerability (13 of 100)
Price category