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Kafue bream (Oreochromis andersonii) — Cichlidae

Kafue bream

Oreochromis andersonii
Family: Cichlidae
VU · Vulnerable

The Kafue bream (Oreochromis andersonii) is a brackish-water fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 61 cm.

Length
61 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
0.0–10.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The three-spotted tilapia is a large cichlid from southern Africa, occurring in the Zambezi and Okavango systems. The species grows to about 61 cm and has a deep, silvery-grey body, sometimes with a few dark spots on the flank. It lives in both rivers and swamps, tolerates fresh and slightly brackish water and prefers slow-flowing or standing water; adults occupy deeper open water, juveniles stay near shore vegetation. As an omnivore it feeds on algae, detritus and plankton. The species is a valued food and angling fish but is listed as Vulnerable (VU).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Kafue bream?

The Kafue bream has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Kafue bream live?

The Kafue bream lives in brackish water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Kafue bream get?

The Kafue bream grows to a maximum of about 61 cm.

Is the Kafue bream dangerous to humans?

No, the Kafue bream is harmless to humans.

Is the Kafue bream edible?

Yes, the Kafue bream is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Driestippeltilapia sourced
English name
Kafue bream verified
Scientific name
Oreochromis andersonii
Family
Cichlidae
Other names
Three spotted tilapia; Threespot bream; Threespot tilapia verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
61.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
10.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
13.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met deeg, brood of plantaardig aas in langzaam stromend of stilstaand water. sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Oreochromis

More from the family Cichlidae

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