Edit Oreochromis niloticus
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Name
Scientific name
Oreochromis niloticus
Described by
Authority Linnaeus, Year 1758, Bracketed
Family
Cichlidae
Common names
Nile Tilapia
Photograph credits
All 2 credited
Summary
The Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, is a cichlid with a very wide natural range in Africa, from Senegal east to Egypt and Uganda. Bred…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
600mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Minimum length 210 cm, Minimum depth 60 cm, Minimum height 60 cm
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 21–27°C, pH 6.2–8.5
Hardness
10–30dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Predatory
Social needs
Not recorded
Community suitability
Not recorded
Where it lives
Countries, regions, rivers and lakes
Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, Israel, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sudan, Togo, Uganda, South Sudan, Gambia
Writing
Etymology
Not written yet
Distribution
O. n. niloticus has a very wide natural range and is native to (in alphabetical order) Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Is…
Habitat
An hardy and adaptable species that is found in a wide range of habitats, including rivers, streams, ponds, lakes and coastal plains. It occurs in both fresh a…
Aquarium size
210 ∗ 60 ∗ 60 cm - ~756 litres for adult fish. Juveniles can be grown on in smaller aquaria.
Maintenance
Not critical. A sandy substrate is best. Plants should not be used as they will be eaten and a large, efficient filtration system is essential as this species …
Water conditions
Temperature: 21 – 27 °C, although it is found over greater extremes in nature. pH: 6.2-8.5 Hardness: 10-30°H
Diet
Very unfussy and will eat most foods offered. Some vegetable matter should be included in the diet.
Behaviour and compatibility
A very robust species that is territorial when spawning but is otherwise quite peaceful. Obviously an enormous tank is needed to keep it in a community situati…
Sexual dimorphism
Male fish develop pointed dorsal and anal fins while the female's are rounded.
Reproduction
Easy. Maternal mouthbrooder. We recommend the purchase of 5 or 6 youngsters and allowing them to pair up naturally. Obviously, a massive tank is required but w…
Notes
One of the most invasive fish species in the world but also one of the most economically important, O. niloticus is bred in huge numbers in many countries as a…
References
References
No references