Scientific Name
Oreochromis niloticus
Oreochromis niloticus尼羅口孵非鯽
by: Lab of Fish Ecol. and Evo., BRCAS
Author (Linnaeus, 1758) Depth 0 - 10M
Chinese 尼羅口孵非鯽 Poisonous Fish No 
Family_Chinese 麗魚科 Economic Fish Yes 
Family F409 Cichlidae Edible Fish Yes  Chinese In Mainland China 尼羅口孵非鯽 
Max Length 60 cm  Aquarium Fish No  Common Name 南洋鯽仔、尼羅吳郭魚 
Distribution in World Afric   Distribution in Taiwan East、West、South、North、North East、PonFu、ShaoLiuChew 
Habitats Estuary、Fresh Water、Coastal  Holotype Locality Egypt 
Synonyms Chromis guentheri, Chromis nilotica, Chromis niloticus, Chromis tristrami, Oreochromis cancellatus cancellatus, Oreochromis cancellatus filoa, Oreochromis nilotica, Oreochromis nilotica filoa, Oreochromis nilotics, Oreochromis niloticus baringoensis, Oreochromis niloticus cancellatus, Oreochromis niloticus eduardianus, Oreochromis niloticus edwardianus ...all 36..  
Reference 臺灣魚類誌(沈等, 1993)  沈世傑 編 Shih-Chieh Shen ed. 1993 
Specimen List ASIZP0061361. ASIZP0068585. ASIZP0074970. ASIZP0074971. ASIZP0806517. ASIZP0806518. ASIZP0916517. ASIZP0916518. FRIP01112. FRIP01113. FRIP01143. NMMBP03923. NMMBP05893. NMMSTP00822. NTMP0808. NTMP1006. NTUM05264.  
Common Name Nile tilapia; Nilotica; Cichlid; Edward tilapia; Mozambique tilapia; Mango fish 
Redlist Status N.A. IUCN Redlist: Not Applicable     
Characteristic Head large. Snout short, blunt. Lips thick. Mouth moderately large, posterior end in front of anterior margin of eye, both upper and lower jaw with tiny teeth in 3-4 rows. Body laterally compressed; body depth high. Scales moderately large; snout and chin naked. Dorsal fin rays:XV-XVIII,10-14; anal fin rays:III,10-11; vertebrae:30-32. Pectoral fin on side of body, posterior end reaches anal fin origin; pelvic fin on ventral side, posterior end reaches anus; caudal fin slightly forked. Color pattern varied, dark olive dorsally and grayish ventrally. A pale spot on upper side of operculum; 8-12 black vertical bands on side; irregular pale spots spread over dorsal and anal fins; several vertical bands on anal fin. During breeding season, vertical bands on side of spawning male disappear, dorsal and anal fin margins turn to red.
habitats Inhabits any kind of slow running water, including backwater of rivers, lakes, ponds, canals and swamps, prefers vegetated areas. Polyphagia, feeds on water plants, epiphyton and some invertebrates. High tolerance to pollution, low dissolved oxygen and hi 
Distribution Africa. Had been extensively introduced to many countries, including Taiwan. Easy to hybrid with relatives, various strains had been bred, purebred is difficult to find in rivers. 
Utility