Victoria tilapia

Oreochromis variabilis

Near Threatened Cichlid of the Nile Basin

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

Oreochromis variabilis, the Victoria tilapia, is a species of African cichlid native to Lake Victoria and its tributaries, Lake Kyoga, Lake Kwania, and Lake Bisina (Salisbury), as well as being found in the Victoria Nile above Murchison Falls. This species can reach a standard length of 30 cm (12 in). This species is important to local commercial fisheries and is potentially important in aquaculture.

Class: Teleosts
Order: Cichlids and Allies
Family: Cichlidae
Genus: Oreochromis
Maximum length: 30 cm
Water: Freshwater
Body shape: fusiform
Distribution: Africa: Lake Victoria and its affluent rivers (Ref. 5166 , 34290 , 118630 , 118638 ), Victoria Nile above Murchison Falls (Ref. 5166 ) and Lakes Kyoga, Kwania and Salisbury (Ref. 5166 ), but strongly declining or disappeared in many areas (Ref. 52331 ), apparently replaced by Oreochromis niloticus (Ref. 34290 ). Introduced into several dams in Lake Victoria region (Ref. 118638 ).
Conservation status: NTNear Threatened

Report a correction