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.
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