Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) >
Perciformes (Perch-likes) >
Cichlidae (Cichlids) > Pseudocrenilabrinae
Etymology: Oreochromis: Latin, aurum = gold + Greek, chromis = a fish, perhaps a perch (Ref. 45335).
Environment / Climate / Range
Ecology
Freshwater; benthopelagic. Tropical, preferred ?; 9°S - 15°S
Africa: Endemic to Lake Malawi.
Length at first maturity / Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm 26.9, range 20 - 37 cm
Max length : 36.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 4967)
Dorsal
spines
(total): 16 - 17;
Dorsal
soft rays
(total): 10-11;
Anal
spines: 3;
Anal
soft rays: 8 - 10;
Vertebrae: 30 - 32. Lower pharyngeal toothed area with concave sides; median length of bone 1.26-1.36 times its width and 37.6-40.6 length of head; blade 1.6-2.4 times the median length of the toothed area. Caudal fin scaly.
Occurs at a temperature range of 21.5-29°C (Ref. 2), in all kinds of habitats but is seen mainly in shallow water. Is abundant in shallow vegetated bays. Forms schools. Feeds on phytoplankton, mainly diatoms, and sometimes from the sediment on the sand (Ref. 5595).
Mating behavior includes the T-stand, both partners alternately forming the horizontal part of the T. Eggs are laid in batches and immediately picked up by the female. Fertilization takes place both on the ground and in the mouth. Females brood eggs/young, guarding their fry until about 15 mm (Ref. 2781).
Trewavas, E. and G.G. Teugels, 1991. Oreochromis. p. 307-346. In J. Daget, J.-P. Gosse, G.G. Teugels and D.F.E. Thys van den Audenaerde (eds.) Checklist of the freshwater fishes of Africa (CLOFFA). ISNB, Brussels; MRAC, Tervuren; and ORSTOM, Paris. Vol. 4. (Ref. 5166)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 115185)
CITES (Ref. 94142)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
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