(Hensley and Courtenay 1980) One or both members of the pair fan currents of water and pick debris and dead eggs from the nest (Boschung and Mayden 2004).įecundity: Lay between 10 eggs (Boschung and Mayden 2004).Īge at maturation: Two years (Daget 1956 Jensen 1957 Ben-Tuvia 1960, all cited in Fryer and Illes 1972). Spawning Behavior: Not a mouth-brooder lays oblong eggs on substrate and parents guard eggs and young. Spawning habitat: In a constructed nesting depression much like that of sunfishes (Moyle 1976). Spawning season: Courtship and mate selection begins when the water warms to about 20✬, In its native range and under optimal conditions of food and temperature, the species may breed throughout the year (Boschung and Mayden 2004). Mesohabitat: It is a euryhaline species that can live and reproduce in waters with salinity as high as 45 ppt, and its lower lethal temperature is about 10✬ (Boschung and Mayden 2004). Macrohabitat: Normally inhabits large lakes and rivers but adapts well to ponds, ditches and other artificial habitats, especially where aquatic vegetation is abundant (Boschung and Mayden 2004). ![]() 1991).Ībundance/Conservation status (Federal, State, NGO) Texas distribution: Introduced and has been established in the headwaters of the San Antonio River (Hubbs et al. distribution: has been found in California, Florida, Arizona and annually stocked in farm ponds and lakes in Alabama (Hensley and Courtenay 1980). Transverse bands present on sides, dorsal fin with yellow spots (Hubbs et al. (Boschung and Mayden 2004)Įxternal morphology: The 8 to 12 gill rakers are shorter than those of Mozambique mouthbrooders (Moyle 1976).Īdditional from Hubbs key: Eight to ten gill rakers on lower part of first gill arch. Mouth position: Large, almost horizontal jaw teeth with outer row incisor-like, inner row smaller and multicuspid. there are 28 to 30 cycloid scales in the lateral series (Moyle 1976).īody shape: Typical cichlid body, elongate yet deep and laterally compressed, and the long dorsal fin (Moyle 1976). Anal fin has three to four spines, seven to ten rays pectorals have 14 to 15 rays each. Their heads turn dark blue black, mottles with blue-green spots (Moyle 1976).Ĭounts: The dorsal fin has 14 to 16 spines and 10 to 13 rays, rays being considerably longer than the spines. Spawning fish become shiny dark green on the back and sides with red and black on the throat and belly and distinct vertical bands on the sides. ![]() The operculum also has a distinct dark spot. The dorsal fin has a dark "eye-spot" on the soft-rayed portion, often outlined in yellow, along with numerous small yellow spots on the entire fin. The belly is yellow to white and the fins are brown to yellow. The sides often with an iridescent sheen and 6 to 7 poorly defined vertical bars. (Moyle 1976).Ĭoloration: The typical nonbreeding coloration is dark olive on the back and light olive or yellow brown on the sides. Tilapia is derived from the native African (Bechuana) word thlape meaning fish. Zill, a naturalist who provided Paul Gervcais with the type specimen (Boschung and Mayden 2004 Moyle 1976). PLEASE CHECK BACK LATER FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
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