blackchin tilapia

Sarotherodon melanotheron

Males brood eggs within mouths

Black
Tropical
Estuary
Transcontinental
Africa
Europe
North America
Deep-bodied
Medium
Tropical fish

The blackchin tilapia (Sarotherodon melanotheron), formerly Tilapia melanotheron, T. heudelotii and T. leonensis, is a species of cichlid native to coastal west Africa. It is a paternal mouthbrooder which has been introduced to Asia and North America. In the Philippines, it is also informally called gloria or tilapiang arroyo after former Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo because of its small size and mole-like dark pigmentation under its lower jaw, resembling that of the short stature and mole on the former president's left cheek.

Class: Teleosts
Order: Cichlids and Allies
Family: Cichlidae
Genus: Sarotherodon
Maximum length: 28 cm
Body shape: deep_bodied
Distribution: Africa: Lagoons and estuaries from Mauritania to Cameroon. Introduced to several countries in Asia, USA and Europe (Ref. 21 ). At least one country reports adverse ecological impact after introduction. Previously, three subspecies were recognized: Sarotherodon melanotheron heudelotii , Sarotherodon melanotheron leonensis and Sarotherodon melanotheron melanotheron .
Conservation status: LCLeast Concern

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