Red List of South African Species

Alternatively, Explore species
| National Red List categories | Partners |

Notes

This species previously on the IUCN Red List in the genus Tilapia but it is now considered valid in the genus Coptodon Gervais 1853 (see Konings 2016). There are four other synonyms from outside the assessment area.

habitat_narrative

Freshwater (=Inland waters)

Tolerant of a wide range of temperatures (11–37°C) and salinity to 19 parts per thousand. Prefers quiet, well-vegetated water along river margins or backwaters, floodplains and swamps (Skelton 2001). Feeds mainly on water plants and algae but also takes aquatic invertebrates and even small fish (Skelton 2001). Breeding pairs clear the vegetation in shallow water to form a nest about 0.5–1.2 m across and excavate tunnel-like brood chambers in which the eggs and larvae are protected. Juveniles up to 15 mm SL remain within the brood chambers, and several broods are raised each summer (Skelton 2001). Maximum growth size: 250 mm (Teugels and Thys van den Audenaerde in Daget et al. 1991)

Not much information here?

SANBI is currently in the process of adding more information about species to this database.

Search for this species on The Encyclopedia of Life