Ecology of Oreochromis aureus
 
Main Ref. Trewavas, E., 1983
Remarks Cold tolerant (Ref. 61), occuring at temperatures ranging from 8°-30°C, with small size fish less tolerant to low temperatures than larger specimens (Ref. 2). Tolerates fairly brackish conditions (Ref. 3, 61, 2001, 6465, 54362), with small specimens less tolerant than larger ones (Ref. 96, 54403, 54459) and ontogenetic changes in salinity tolerance related to body size rather than to chronological age (Ref. 54403, 54459). Forms schools; is sometimes territorial; inhabits warm ponds and impoundments as well as lakes and streams (Ref. 5723, 11028), in open water as well as among stones and vegetation (Ref. 11028). Omnivorous (Ref. 61, 52307), but with a tendency towards a vegetarian diet (Ref. 52307). Feeds on phytoplankton and small quantities of zooplankton (Ref. 3, 61, 6465, 52307). Young fish have a more varied diet which includes large quantities of copepods and cladocerans (Ref. 2, 61, 6465), but they also take pieces of small invertebrates (Ref. 52307). Particulate feeder during larval and juvenile stages, filter feeder when adult (Ref. 46977). Ovophilic, agamous (Ref. 52307), maternal mouthbrooder (Ref. 364, 52307). Reproduces in both fresh and brackish water (Ref. 61, 5723).

Aquatic zones / Water bodies

Marine - Neritic Marine - Oceanic Brackishwater Freshwater
Marine zones / Brackish and freshwater bodies
  • supra-littoral zone
  • littoral zone
  • sublittoral zone
  • epipelagic
  • mesopelagic
  • epipelagic
  • abyssopelagic
  • hadopelagic
  • estuaries/lagoons/brackish seas
  • mangroves
  • marshes/swamps
  • rivers/streams
  • lakes/ponds
  • caves
  • exclusively in caves
Highighted items on the list are where Oreochromis aureus may be found.

Habitat

Substrate
Substrate Ref.
Special habitats
Special habitats Ref.

Associations

Ref.
Associations
Associated with
Association remarks
Parasitism

Feeding

Feeding type mainly plants/detritus (troph. 2-2.19)
Feeding type Ref. Trewavas, E., 1983
Feeding habit filtering plankton
Feeding habit Ref. Lazzaro, X., 1987
Trophic Level(s)
Estimation method Original sample Unfished population Remark
Troph s.e. Troph s.e.
From diet composition 2.06 0.00 Troph of juv./adults from 1 study.
From individual food items 2.51 0.24 Trophic level estimated from a number of food items using a randomized resampling routine.
Ref. Jiménez-Badillo, M.L. and M.R. Nepita-Villanueva, 2000
(e.g. 346)
(e.g. oophagy)
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