Cichlidae

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).