Redbelly tilapia
Coptodon zillii
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The redbelly tilapia is native to the northern half of Africa and the Middle East (Jordan basin), in fresh and brackish waters; it tolerates wide swings in temperature and salinity. Herbivorous, it eats aquatic plants and algae. The pair spawns on the bottom and tends the eggs and fry together. It has been introduced to many countries as a food fish. It reaches 40 centimetres.
- Scientific name
- Coptodon zillii
- Family
- Cichlidae
Fact sheet
General
- Water
- Freshwater
- Group
- Fish
Taxonomy
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Order
- Cichliformes
- Synonyms
- Acerina zillei, Acerina zillii, Chromis andreae, Chromis caeruleomaculatus, Chromis coeruleomaculatus, Chromis faidherbii, Chromis melanopleura, Chromis menzalensis, Chromis mossambicus, Chromis niloticus, Chromis tristrami, Chromis zillii, Coptodon zillei, Coptodus zillei, Coptodus zillii
Origin
- Native region
- África, Ásia
Water
- Temperature
- 10.5–36 °C
- pH
- 6–9
- General hardness (GH)
- 5–20 °dGH
Size and lifespan
- Adult size
- 40 cm
- Lifespan
- 7 years
Behavior
- Swimming level
- Middle
- Diet
- Herbivore
Reproduction
- Breeding strategy
- Substrate or cave spawner
Conservation and trade
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
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