Help ID Cichlid (SA or CA)

[moss&pothos]

I’m coming up on a year of owning this fish and the only information I had getting it is that it’s a cichlid and most likely from SA. It is a rehome that I acquired through my work. I enjoy keeping this fish but not knowing what my biggest fish is is keeping me from providing the best care.

Approximately 8in currently. Female. Digs nests and carries eggs in mouth.
Peaceful toward smaller fish but will flare when the rainbow cichlid pecks at her. Pretty easy to care for. Thriving on a mixed diet of pellet and fresh krill and veggies.

 

[tlindsey]

Welcome aboard
Looks like a African specie but other members will chime in with their opinions.

 

[kno4te]

Looks tilapia sp.

 

[moss&pothos]

Thanks for the input!
I’m not 100% on where it’s from. Previous owner kept it with his Central Am. imports but didn’t remember where he got it initially.

 

[duanes]

I agree with Kno4te, it is African, and a Tilapine, but because there are about 100 species of Tilapies that look similar, narrowing it down might be difficult with only a couple photos.
Some of the most commonly found are Oreochromis mossambiques, , and O niloticus, both found as invasive species in Florida and some other southern states
Here are some examples of similar looking Tilapines I have kept.

above, young Oreochromis tanganycae
below Coptodon zillii.

Below Saratherodon linnelli

below an invasive in the Florida Everglades

 

[moss&pothos]

I agree with Kno4te, it is African, and a Tilapine, but because there are about 100 species of Tilapies that look similar, narrowing it down might be difficult with only a couple photos.
Some of the most commonly found are Oreochromis mossambiques, , and O niloticus, both found as invasive species in Florida and some other southern states
Here are some examples of similar looking Tilapines I have kept.

above, young Oreochromis tanganycae
below Coptodon zillii.

Below Saratherodon linnelli

below an invasive in the Florida Everglades

Thanks! Makes sense it being invasive and winding up in someone else’s CA tank before mine.

Any suggestions on keeping? Obviously doing well in 7 and lower ph, but should I worry about it out growing my 75 gallon? Standard measurements and running with a 30gallon sump.

 

[tlindsey]

Thanks! Makes sense it being invasive and winding up in someone else’s CA tank before mine.

Any suggestions on keeping? Obviously doing well in 7 and lower ph, but should I worry about it out growing my 75 gallon? Standard measurements and running with a 30gallon sump.

Thanks! Makes sense it being invasive and winding up in someone else’s CA tank before mine.

Any suggestions on keeping? Obviously doing well in 7 and lower ph, but should I worry about it out growing my 75 gallon? Standard measurements and running with a 30gallon sump.

It depends on the Tilapia species all of them don't get large.

 

[duanes]

Agree with Tom
If it was feral, I would expect it may outgrow a 75, the feral Florida individual in my photo above was over a foot long, and they were brought from Africa and distributed around the world manly for human consumption.


But many like the linnelli only reach 7 " or so.
The one below was in a 500 gal tank, housed with 2-3 ft catfish.