Appearance and lifestyle:
The banded tilapia (Tilapia sparrmanii) pale to olive-brown fresh water fish that has an oval body with dark vertical bands. They can grow up to 23cm but are usually 10-16cm long. Males will build saucer-like nests in which eggs are laid and guarded by both parents.
Habitat:
Banded tilapia live in the Orange River, rivers on KwaZulu-Natal south coast, southern Congo tributaries, Lake Malawi and the Zambezi. They prefer quiet or standing water with submerged vegetation.
Diet:
Tilapia feed on algae, soft plants, invertebrates, e.g. insects and sometimes small fish.
Threats:
Predators like Bass, habitat loss, pollution etc.
Grows to 23cm in length.
Eggs are guarded by both parents.
Plays a role in controlling algae growth in water.