This species has a large native distribution range with no known major widespread threats. It is assessed as Least Concern globally and nationally in South Africa.
Distribution
Native to all major river systems from the south-eastern Congo to Lake Sibaya, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa. Introduced to non-native systems in KZN and the Highveld of South Africa (Skelton 2001). Native to the Lake Tanganyika and Malawi Basins and Lakes Chilwa, Chuita and the Shire River (Malawi). Introduced in Lake Victoria and many surrounding dams and water systems for example, Pangani drainage (including Lake Jipe), Lake Chala and Athi/Sabaki drainage. Also introduced in the Tana River System (Mann 1966, 1968) (Seegers et al., unpublished). According to Welcomme (1988) and Lever (1996) this species was also introduced from an unrecorded source into Kenya in 1955 for stocking (Seegers et al. unpublished), and has also been introduced, and is now well settled in, the upper and middle Akagera River System.
[@article{18475,
author = {Skelton, P.H.},
title = {A Complete Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Southern Africa},
year = {2001}
}
,@article{60690,
author = {Daget, J., Gosse, J.P., Teugels, G.G. and Thys van den Audenaerde, D.F.E. (eds).},
title = {<i>Check-list of the Freshwater Fishes of Africa (CLOFFA IV)</i>},
year = {1991}
}
,@article{60690,
author = {Mann, M.J.},
title = {A preliminary report on a survey of fisheries of the Tana River, Kenya.},
year = {1966}
}
,@article{60690,
author = {Mann, M.J.},
title = {A note on a second survey of the fisheries of the Tana River, Kenya.},
year = {1968}
}
,@article{60690,
author = {Lever, C.},
title = {<i>Naturalized Fishes of the World</i>.},
year = {1996}
}
,@techreport{60690,
address = {Rome, Italy},
author = {Welcomme, R.L},
institution = {FAO},
title = {International introductions of inland aquatic species},
year = {1988}
}
,@book{60690,
address = {El Paso, USA},
author = {Konings, A.},
publisher = {Cichlid Press},
title = {Malawi Cichlids in their natural habitat, 5th edition},
year = {2016}
}
,]
