Oreochromis aureus

Oreochromis aureus
Blue Tilapia – Oreochromis aureus – Florida
Photo Credit: Tim Aldridge

Oreochromis aureus

FamilyScientific NameAuthorYearCommon Name
CichlidaeOreochromis aureus(Steindachner)1864Blue Tilapia

Unique Characters:  Lower limb of first gill arch with 21-26 rakers. No red on belly. No dark blotch in dorsal fin.

Oreochromis aureus
Oreochromis aureus gill rakers
oreochromis
cichlid notrils_Oreochromis aureus

Similar Species:

Redbelly Tilapia Coptodon zillii. Lower limb of first gill arch with 8-12 rakers. Belly pink or red. Dark blotch on posterior base of dorsal fin. 

Coptodon zillii
Redbelly Tilapia – Coptodon zillii – Photo Credit: Ben Cantrell
Coptodon zilli
Coptodon zilli gill rakers

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