Edit Sarotherodon melanotheron
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Name
Scientific name
Sarotherodon melanotheron
Described by
Authority Rüppell, Year 1852
Family
Cichlidae
Common names
Black Chin Tilapia
Photograph credits
All 2 credited
Summary
The black chin tilapia, Sarotherodon melanotheron melanotheron, is a salt-tolerant cichlid from coastal western Africa. Its main habitat is…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
200mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Minimum length 120 cm, Minimum depth 38 cm, Minimum height 30 cm
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 23–28°C, pH 7–8
Hardness
9–19dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Predatory
Social needs
Not recorded
Community suitability
Not recorded
Where it lives
Countries, regions, rivers and lakes
Senegal
Writing
Etymology
Not written yet
Distribution
Widespread in coastal regions throughout Western Africa, being found in Nigeria, Cameroon, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Guinea, Liberia, Togo, Democratic Republic of …
Habitat
A salt-tolerant species whose main habitat is estuarine waters, especially in areas of mangrove. It is also found in fresh water lagoons and rivers.
Aquarium size
120 ∗ 38 ∗ 30 cm - ~137 litres.
Maintenance
Not critical. A sandy substrate is preferable but decor is basically down to personal choice. This could include smooth rocks, pieces of driftwood and robust p…
Water conditions
Temperature: 23 – 28 °C pH: 7.0-8.0 Hardness: 9-19°H
Diet
Feed a varied diet of dried, live and frozen foods. Ensure the fish receive some vegetable matter in the diet, such as spirulina flake, nori etc.
Behaviour and compatibility
Not particularly aggressive, unless spawning and can be kept with similarly robust African cichlids or more docile Central American species, Loricariids, Synod…
Sexual dimorphism
Not at all easy to sex. Male fish tend to have more black around the head area and when mature have a god-coloured operculum, which is transparent in females.
Reproduction
Possible. Paternal mouth-brooder. The fish are tolerant of a wide range of water conditions and are not choosy about tank decor, although a substrate of sand o…
Notes
At present there are 5 sub-species, Sarotherodon melanotheron melanotheron, S. m. heudelotii, S. m. leonensis, S. m. nigripinnis and S. m. paludinosus. Confusi…
References
References
No references