Oreochromis karongae facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Oreochromis karongae |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Synonyms | |
|
The Karongae Tilapia (scientific name: Oreochromis karongae) is a special type of fish called a cichlid. It's found only in certain places like Lake Malawi, Lake Malombe, and parts of the Shire River. These places are in countries like Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania. Sadly, this fish is in big trouble. It's considered critically endangered, which means it's very close to disappearing forever. People used to catch a lot of these fish for food, but too much fishing has made their numbers drop a lot.
Contents
About the Karongae Tilapia
What It Looks Like
The Karongae Tilapia can grow up to about 42 cm (16.5 inches) long. That's about the length of your forearm!
Male Karongae Tilapia look different when they are ready to breed. They turn black with white edges on their fins. They look very similar to another fish called O. lidole. Female Karongae Tilapia are more yellowish-brown. They are a bit yellower than females of O. lidole and O. squamipinnis.
What It Eats
The Karongae Tilapia mainly eats tiny plant-like organisms called phytoplankton. This includes very small algae called diatoms. They filter these tiny bits from the water.
Fishy Family and Names
The Karongae Tilapia belongs to a group of fish called Nyasalapia. Fish in this group are often known as "chambo" by local people.
Scientists sometimes look closely at how different fish are related. Some scientists thought that another fish, O. saka, might actually be the same as O. karongae. This is because they are very similar, only differing a little in their throat bones and teeth. However, for now, most scientists still consider them two separate types of fish.
A Tricky Neighbor
There's another cichlid fish called Corematodus shiranus that lives in the same waters. This fish is quite sneaky! It's an aggressive mimic of the chambo fish. This means it looks and swims like the chambo.
Because it looks so much like the chambo, it can swim right into a group of unsuspecting Karongae Tilapia. Then, it quickly takes a bite of their scales or fins! This type of feeding is called lepidophagy.
