Narrow Mouthed Natron Tilapia

Diagnosis: A very small slender species with a narrow ventrally-placed mouth (Ref. 118638). Mature males have dark-edged dorsal and anal fins, iridescent blue-white spots on flanks, white lower lips, and a spotted caudal fin; male breeding dress shows geographic variation, with males of some populations having yellow throats and white bellies, while others are a fiery orange underneath (Ref. 118638). Females and non-territorial males are sandy-coloured, paler ventrally, sometimes with faint vertical bars (Ref. 118638).

A maternal mouthbrooder: males defend spawning territories among rocks in shallow water (Ref. 32272, 118638). Females carry eggs and larvae in their mouths (Ref. 32272).

Dorsal spines (total): 13 - 14; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9 - 12; Anal spines: 3 - 4; Analsoft rays: 9 - 11

It inhabits the springs and some spring-fed creeks near the southern and south-eastern shores of Lake Natron (Ref. 32272). It co-occurs with Alcolapia alcalicus and Alcolapia latilabris (Ref. 32272). Observed to nibble at stones and gravel, probably taking mainly algae for food; omnivorous, taking insects from the water surface as well (Ref. 32272).

It inhabits the springs and some spring-fed creeks near the southern and south-eastern shores of Lake Natron (Ref. 32272). It co-occurs with Alcolapia alcalicus and Alcolapia latilabris (Ref. 32272). Observed to nibble at stones and gravel, probably taking mainly algae for food; omnivorous, taking insects from the water surface as well (Ref. 32272). A maternal mouthbrooder: males defend spawning territories among rocks in shallow water (Ref. 32272, 118638). Potential as an aquarium fish (Ref. 118638).

fisheries:

Alcolapia ndalalani, the narrow-mouthed Natron tilapia, is a species of small fish in the family Cichlidae. It is endemic to the hypersaline, warm Lake Natron in Tanzania. Here it lives in creeks and springs at the southern shores of the lake. It reaches up to 5 cm (2.0 in) in standard length. It has a relatively narrow, downturned mouth, which separates it from the two other fish in Lake Natron, A. alcalica and A. latilabris.