| Family: |
Cichlidae (Cichlids), subfamily: Pseudocrenilabrinae |
| Max. size: |
19.2 cm SL (male/unsexed); 16.3 cm (female) |
| Environment: |
benthopelagic; freshwater; brackish |
| Distribution: |
Africa: Coastal rivers of Kenya from the Mwena River to the lower Athi below Lugard's Falls; also near its mouth, including Lake Chem Chem; Lower and middle Tana River, Northern Uaso Nyiro, Juba system and Webi Shebeli; Nguruman; and Ethiopia (Ref. 5166). Probably also in Lake Momello, south of the Kenya-Tanzania border (Ref. 5166, 118638). Three subspecies are recognized: Oreochromis spilurus niger, Oreochromis spilurus percivali and Oreochromis spilurus spilurus. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 14-17; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-13; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 9-10; Vertebrae: 28-30. Description: Scales on cheek in 2 or 3 series (Ref. 2). Genital papilla of male conical or club-shaped, with a sub-terminal pore (Ref. 2). Colouration: Females and immature males have a yellow-buff background colour with a series of mid-lateral blotches and a more dorsal parallel series (Ref. 2). Mature males golden-yellow; conspicuous bright blue areas on dorsal, anal and pelvic fins; orange or red dorsal lappets (Ref. 2). |
| Biology: |
Feeds on insects, plants and diatoms (Ref. 2). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 09 April 2021 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.
