Mozambique tilapia

Oreochromis mossambicus

Thirty Nine Centimeters Cichlid of the Zambezi Basin

Tropical
Coastal
Lower river
Regional distribution
Africa
Fusiform
Compressed cross-section
Medium
Tropical fish

The Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) is an oreochromine cichlid fish native to southeastern Africa. Dull colored, the Mozambique tilapia often lives up to a decade in its native habitats. It is a popular fish for aquaculture.

Class: Teleosts
Order: Cichlids and Allies
Family: Cichlidae
Genus: Oreochromis
Maximum length: 39 cm
Body shape: fusiform
Distribution: Africa: Lower Zambezi, Lower Shiré and coastal plains from Zambezi delta to Algoa Bay. Occurs southwards to the Brak River in the eastern Cape and in the Transvaal in the Limpopo system (Ref. 6465 ). Widely introduced for aquaculture, but escaped and established itself in the wild in many countries, often outcompeting local species (Ref. 12217 ). Several countries report adverse ecological impact after introduction.
Conservation status: VUVulnerable

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