CARES Species Profile:  Oreochromis esculentus

Description

A cichlid from the Lake Victoria region, now mostly in satellite lakes. It feeds mainly on phytoplankton using a mucus-trap method. Females mouthbrood and males build simple nests.

CARES Family:   Cichlidae - Lake Victoria

Global Region:   Africa

Distribution:   Lake Victoria Basin

CARES Classification:  Near Threatened CARES Assessment Date:  March 15, 2026    
IUCN Red List:  Near Threatened   IUCN Assessment Date:  March 30, 2021      
 

CARES Registration

Click the Register This Species button if you keep this species and have not yet registered it with CARES.
You will need to provide information about where you acquired your fish and a photo to verify the species.

 Register This Species 

AquaristSpecies.net Community

Aquarists keeping and breeding Oreochromis esculentus are encouraged to share their experiences and availability of offspring they raise with fellow hobbyists. If you haven't already, please consider creating an AquaristSpecies.net account and clicking 'I keep this species' on the matching species page.

There are currently 5 community members keeping this species.

AquaristSpecies.net - Oreochromis esculentus

Species Feedback

Please use the Species Feedback button to provide helpful comments or corrections. Only admins will see your submission.

Note: If you have a good photo you would like to submit for consideration as the Species Profile photo you can upload it.

 Submit Species Feedback