Kasawala

Oreochromis squamipinnis

Thirty Six Centimeters Cichlid of African Waters

Tropical
Upper river
Regional distribution
Freshwater fish
Africa
Fusiform
Compressed cross-section
Medium
Tropical fish

Oreochromis squamipinnis is a critically endangered species of cichlid fish that is endemic to Lake Malawi, Lake Malombe and Shire River in East Africa, where found in a wide range of habitats, but especially in shallow water. This species is important to local commercial fisheries and can also be found in the aquarium trade, but it has declined drastically due to overfishing. This species can reach a standard length of 36 cm (14 in).

Class: Teleosts
Order: Cichlids and Allies
Family: Cichlidae
Genus: Oreochromis
Maximum length: 36 cm
Water: Freshwater
Body shape: fusiform
Distribution: Africa: Lake Malawi and its catchment (Ref. 118630 ), including crater lakes Kingiri, Ilamba and Massoko (Ref. 118638 ) and Upper Shire River (Ref. 37112 ).
Conservation status: CRCritically Endangered

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