Home/Species/ Mozambique Tilapia

Oreochromis mossambicus

(Peters, 1852)

Mozambique Tilapia

G5Secure Found in 2 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →

G5SecureGlobal Rank

Identity

Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.105769

Element CodeAFCQJ10010

Record TypeSPECIES

ClassificationSpecies

Classification StatusStandard

Name CategoryVertebrate Animal

Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations

KingdomAnimalia

PhylumCraniata

ClassActinopterygii

OrderCichliformes

FamilyCichlidae

GenusOreochromis

Concept Reference

Fuller, P. L., L. G. Nico, and J. D. Williams. 1999. Nonindigenous fishes introduced into inland waters of the United States. American Fisheries Society, Special Publication 27. x + 613 pp.

Taxonomic Comments

Formerly known as Tilapia mossambica (see Fuller et al. 1999). Placed in genus Sarotherodon by some authors.

Conservation Status

Review Date2004-01-05

Change Date1996-09-25

Edition Date2004-01-05

Range Extent Comments

Native to tropical and subtropical Africa (Fuller et al. 1999). Established or locally established in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, and Texas (now hybridized with blue tilapia, R. G. Howells, pers. comm., 2003); formerly established in additional states and reported from others (Fuller et al. 1999).

Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

Generally in warm weedy ponds, canals, and river pools and backwaters. Able to live and reproduce in fresh water and sea water. Lower temperature tolerance about 11-12 C. Established in thermal springs and outflow in Idaho (Courtenay et al. 1987). Spawns over shallow pit in male's territory in shallow weedy waters; female goes into hiding while incubating eggs in her mouth (Moyle 1976).

Reproduction

Spawns as long as water temperature is above 20 C; maternal mouthbrooder; eggs hatch and leave female's mouth in 11-12 days (Moyle 1976).

Other Nations (1)

United StatesNNA

Province	Rank	Native
Alabama	SNA	No
Hawaii	SNA	No
New York	SNA	No
Texas	SNA	No
Florida	SNA	No
California	SNA	No
Idaho	SNA	No
Arkansas	SNA	No
South Carolina	SNA	No
Arizona	SNA	No
Nevada	SNA	No
North Carolina	SNA	No

Roadless Areas (2)

Idaho (2)

Area	Forest	Acres
Italian Peak	Caribou-Targhee National Forest	141,158
Lemhi Range	Salmon-Challis National Forest	308,533

References (11)

Courtenay, W. R., Jr., et al. 1987. Records of exotic fishes from Idaho and Wyoming. Great Basin Nat. 47:523-526.
Fuller, P. L., L. G. Nico, and J. D. Williams. 1999. Nonindigenous fishes introduced into inland waters of the United States. American Fisheries Society, Special Publication 27. x + 613 pp.
Lee, D. S., C. R. Gilbert, C. H. Hocutt, R. E. Jenkins, D. E. McAllister, and J. R. Stauffer, Jr. 1980. Atlas of North American freshwater fishes. North Carolina State Museum of Natural History, Raleigh, North Carolina. i-x + 854 pp.
Moyle, P. B. 1976a. Inland fishes of California. University of California Press, Berkeley, California. 405 pp.
Moyle, P. B. 2002. Inland fishes of California. Revised and expanded. University of California Press, Berkeley. xv + 502 pp.
Nelson, J. S., E. J. Crossman, H. Espinosa-Perez, L. T. Findley, C. R. Gilbert, R. N. Lea, and J. D. Williams. 2004. Common and scientific names of fishes from the United States, Canada, and Mexico. American Fisheries Society, Special Publication 29, Bethesda, Maryland. 386 pp.
Page, L. M., and B. M. Burr. 1991. A field guide to freshwater fishes: North America north of Mexico. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, Massachusetts. 432 pp.
Page, L. M., and B. M. Burr. 2011. Peterson field guide to freshwater fishes of North America north of Mexico. Second edition. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Boston. xix + 663 pp.
Page, L. M., H. Espinosa-Pérez, L. T. Findley, C. R. Gilbert, R. N. Lea, N. E. Mandrak, R. L. Mayden, and J. S. Nelson. 2013. Common and scientific names of fishes from the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Seventh edition. American Fisheries Society, Special Publication 34, Bethesda, Maryland.
Page, L. M., K. E. Bemis, T. E. Dowling, H.S. Espinosa-Pérez, L.T. Findley, C. R. Gilbert, K. E. Hartel, R. N. Lea, N. E. Mandrak, M. A. Neigbors, J. J. Schmitter-Soto, and H. J. Walker, Jr. 2023. Common and scientific names of fishes from the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Eighth edition. American Fisheries Society (AFS), Special Publication 37, Bethesda, Maryland, 439 pp.
Robins, C.R., R.M. Bailey, C.E. Bond, J.R. Brooker, E.A. Lachner, R.N. Lea, and W.B. Scott. 1991. Common and scientific names of fishes from the United States and Canada. American Fisheries Society, Special Publication 20. 183 pp.