TRD: Institute for animal production: Aquaculture: SITE SELECTION
Tilapia
(Oreochromis mossambicus)
Tilapia
(Oreochromis mossambicus)
Description
Oreochromis mossambicus belongs to the family Cichlidae and its common name is Tilapia. Tilapiine fish are identified by an interrupted lateral line characteristic of the Cichlid family of fishes. The head profile is straight in juveniles and females, while in matured males it is concave. Males have upturned snouts. O. mossambicus have a deep body shape with the forward portion of dorsal fins heavily spined and a caudal fin with red margins in the breeding season.
Distribution
Oreochromis mossambicus is endemic to the African continent and has been introduced to subtropical countries and tropical regions outside Africa. Its natural distribution occurs from the lower Zambezi system in all the east coastal rivers down to the Bushman system in the eastern Cape Province of South Africa.
Biology
The positive characteristics of O. mossambicus that make it a suitable candidate for aquaculture is the fact that they feed predominantly on detritus and a wide range of natural food organisms. This is because O. mossambicus has two mechanisms for digesting filamentous and planktonic algae. They have a pharyngeal mill which facilitates peristaltic mixing and a stomach pH as low as 1.25, which ruptures the cell wall of algae and bacteria. The other fact that makes it a good candidate is because of its wide tolerance to a range of environmental conditions, resistance to crowding and easy reproduction. Breeds in summer and in optimal conditions can raise broods every 3-4 weeks. Males construct saucer-shaped nests on sandy bottoms. Females mouthbrood eggs, larvae and small fry.
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