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Family Cichlidae

HAWAII

Oreochromis mossambicus  

Male, Waikiki Aquarium

 

DLNR Aquarium

MOZAMBIQUE TILAPIA or HAWAIIAN SUNFISH

Formerly abundant in calm fresh and brackish habitats where it has been displaced by the Blackchin Tilapia.  Introduced from East Africa for vegetation control in plantation irrigation waterways.  Gray with vague bars, reddish fin margins, and protruding snout, appearing nearly black during the reproductive season when males create circular nests and females protect eggs within their mouth.  Breeders produced an attractive orange-skinned variety marketed as Hawaiian Sunfish.  Purebred fish are rare due to interbreeding with other species.  Attains 15 inches and 2 pounds.  Native to East Africa but naturalized in warm areas around the world.