Athi River Tilapia

Scales on cheek in 2 or 3 series. Genital papilla of male conical or club-shaped, with a sub-terminal pore. Females and immature males have a yellow-buff background color with a series of mid-lateral blotches and a more dorsal parallel series. Mature males golden-yellow; conspicuous bright blue areas on dorsal, anal and pelvic fins; orange or red dorsal lappets.

Spawns in shallow water with shelving bottom in ponds. Size of first spawning depends on population density (lower at higher densities). Mating pit is the size and shape of a saucer. Eggs probably fertilized before being taken into the mouth by the female, or are fertilized inside the mouth (Ref. 2).

Dorsal spines (total): 14 - 17; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 13; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 9 - 10; Vertebrae: 28 - 30

Feeds on detritus, plants and benthic organisms (Ref. 2).

Feeds on insects, plants and diatoms (Ref. 2).

aquaculture: commercial; aquarium: commercial