Lake Magadi Tilapia

Mature females with an overall golden hue; males with the flanks a pale blue. Swollen and brilliant white lateral parts of the lower lip of the mature male. Blue spots on scales becoming iridescent. Genital papilla conical, prominent and yellow in the mature male; swollen in the mature female. An oblique eye-bar intensely black in the breeding male, duller in the female.

Contracaecum Disease (larvae). Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Male prepares a breeding pit, the structure of which may vary with the nature of the substratum. Breeding activities are more actively pursued by both sexes in the morning than in the afternoon. Female lays about 3-10 eggs at a time, picks them up instantly and the male swims with his genital papilla near the mouth, probably emitting sperm. Brooding period reportedly 12-16 days.

Dorsal spines (total): 11 - 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12 - 13; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 9 - 11; Vertebrae: 28

At smaller sizes, these fish are significantly carnivorous (Ref. 2).

Occur at temperatures ranging from 16.0-40.0 °C (Ref. 2). Feed actively in the evening. Young O. alcalicus grahami eat eggs as they are shed by the female, and much of the time and energy of the territorial male is occupied in driving them off. Feed on invertebrates, at the surface (Ref. 2).

fisheries: ; aquarium: commercial