Ecology of Oreochromis mossambicus
 
Main Ref. Philippart, J.-C. and J.-C. Ruwet, 1982
Distribution
Marine - Neritic
  • supra-littoral zone
  • littoral zone
  • sublittoral zone
Marine - Oceanic
  • epipelagic
  • mesopelagic
  • epipelagic
  • abyssopelagic
  • hadopelagic
Brackishwater
  • estuaries/lagoons/brackish seas
  • mangroves
  • marshes/swamps
Freshwater
  • rivers/streams
  • lakes/ponds
  • caves
  • exclusively in caves
Highighted items on the list are where Oreochromis mossambicus may be found.
Remarks Inhabits lower Zambezi, Limpopo and eastern rivers southwards. Prefers sheltered banks provided with vegetation. The adult tilapia mainly occupy deeper terraces which surround the lake at high-water levels. Feeds on detritus, plankton, and algae (Ref. 11889). Small fish fed initially on zoobenthos and zooplankton, but fish with a mass of over 4 g fed increasingly on Microcystis aeruginosa and detritus (Ref. 43783). Increased in rainfall improved the quality of diet, as level of protein, energy and organic matter in the diet increased in quantity (Ref. 52847). Utilized in rice fish culture (Ref. 26236).

Substrate

Substrate
Substrate Ref.
Special habitats
Special habitats Ref.

Associations

Ref.
Associations
Associated with
Association remarks
Parasitism

Feeding

Feeding type mainly plants/detritus (troph. 2-2.19)
Feeding type ref Trewavas, E., 1982
Feeding habit browsing on substrate
Feeding habit ref Trewavas, E., 1982
Trophic level(s)
Original sample Unfished population Remark
Estimation method Troph s.e. Troph s.e.
From diet composition 2.17 0.03 2.00 0.00 Troph of juv./adults from 14 studies.
Ref. Blühdorn, D.R., A.H. Arthington and P.B. Mather, 1989
From individual food items 2.77 0.36 Trophic level estimated from a number of food items using a randomized resampling routine.
(e.g. 346)
(e.g. cnidaria)
Entered by Acosta, Belen on 10.19.90
Modified by Casal, Christine Marie V. on 09.22.15
Checked by Miranda, Lilibeth on 05.10.01
Comments & Corrections
 
Sign our Guest Book 
Back to Search
cfm script by eagbayani,  ,  php script by rolavides, 2/5/2008 ,  last modified by sortiz, 6/27/17