Cichlidae

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.