Banded tilapia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Banded tilapia |
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| Banded tilapia from Lake Chilingali, Malawi | |
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The banded tilapia (scientific name: Tilapia sparrmanii) is a common and tough cichlid fish. Cichlids are a type of fish family known for being very diverse. This fish lives in warm freshwater places across southern Africa. You can find them as far north as the DR Congo and Tanzania.
Banded tilapias like water with lots of plants. Sometimes, they have been moved by people to new places, even in the northern part of the world. Young banded tilapias eat small water bugs and tiny crustaceans. Adult fish prefer to eat plants and other bits of food they find.
These fish often travel short distances. They might gather in groups before and during the time they lay eggs. Unlike some other tilapia, banded tilapias guard their eggs themselves. They might move their eggs or babies (called fry) in their mouths, but they don't hold them there all the time like true mouthbrooders do. This fish can grow up to about 23.5 centimeters (9 inches) long. It is also an important fish for food.
The fish's scientific name, sparrmanii, likely honors Anders Sparrman. He was a Swedish scientist who visited the Cape Province in 1775.
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Where Do Banded Tilapia Live?
Banded tilapias are found in many parts of Africa. This includes the middle and upper Congo River areas. They also live in rivers like the Cunene, Okavango, Zambezi, and Limpopo. You can also find them in Lake Malawi and other lakes and rivers in southern Africa.
What Does a Banded Tilapia Look Like?
The banded tilapia is a small fish with a deep body. It has a narrow head and strong, small jaws. They often look a rich yellow color with wide, dark brown stripes. Their fins might have red or orange edges. Adult fish can become very dark. They will have clear black stripes and a patch of red scales behind their head.
These fish can grow up to 23.5 centimeters (about 9 inches) long. The heaviest one ever recorded weighed 445 grams (about 1 pound).
What Kind of Home Do They Like?
Banded tilapias live in many different types of places. They especially like areas with plants along the edges of rivers, lakes, or swamps. They tend to stay in shallow, weedy spots. This means they don't usually form large groups in very deep lakes. They are also known to not like very cold water.
What Do Banded Tilapia Eat?
Adult banded tilapias eat both plants and small animals. They especially like stringy algae, water plants, and plant bits that fall from land, like leaves. Young fish eat tiny crustaceans and small insect larvae, like midge larvae.
How Do Banded Tilapia Breed?
Banded tilapias lay their eggs on the bottom of the water. A male and female fish will form a pair to raise their young together. They sometimes travel upstream during certain seasons. They breed before and during these travels.
How Are Banded Tilapia Used?
Since they are a relatively small fish, banded tilapias are not a huge part of big fishing industries. However, they are raised in ponds in places like Njombe, Tanzania. They have also been put into Lake Kiungululu, Tanzania, though they are not heavily fished there right now.
They are also a good food source for larger fish, like Bass.
Banded tilapias are a popular fish for young or new anglers (people who fish with a rod and line). They are often seen as a good "starter" fish for people learning to fish.
