Oreochromis mossambicus

[DiXoN]

tell me about them
i rescued 2 of these today and stuck them in my 6x2x2 with aro and dats until i find a home for them.
they are around 9'' and 7''.

 

[santoury]

What's to tell that you cannot already observe?


They eat anything and everything, and males can be hyper aggressive.

But then again, you'll be seeing that yourself

They get about 2 x what size they are now (But if they are rescued, they may have been stunted)

Moreover, they are likely to be hybrids - photos would confirm whether or not that is the case.

If one of them, or both, is a male. Your dats could be in major trouble. Imminently. So could the arowana for that matter.

 

[DiXoN]

What's to tell that you cannot already observe?


They eat anything and everything, and males can be hyper aggressive.

But then again, you'll be seeing that yourself

They get about 2 x what size they are now (But if they are rescued, they may have been stunted)

Moreover, they are likely to be hybrids - photos would confirm whether or not that is the case.

If one of them, or both, is a male. Your dats could be in major trouble. Imminently. So could the arowana for that matter.

they seem quite placid actually just doing there own thing.
the aro is 17''+ and 1 dat is 14''+ and another is 6''+
if it kicks off i can stick them in my other tank as its empty at the moment.
heres some pics

 

[santoury]

Why not just keep them?

And they are not mossambicus. They are O. niloticus, or actually, more likely O. leucosticus. Both are less aggressive. (The niloticus is still pretty aggro)

But the coloration is very much like leucosticus, so I'm going with that one. They are pretty much adult, and from what I can see, both are females.
Very pleasant fish if you ask me, and would be a good fit in your tank should you decide to keep them.

They do eat everything, and like plant matter, too. They like to sift sand as well.

 

[DiXoN]

Why not just keep them?

And they are not mossambicus. They are O. niloticus, or actually, more likely O. leucosticus. Both are less aggressive. (The niloticus is still pretty aggro)

But the coloration is very much like leucosticus, so I'm going with that one. They are pretty much adult, and from what I can see, both are females.
Very pleasant fish if you ask me, and would be a good fit in your tank should you decide to keep them.

They do eat everything, and like plant matter, too. They like to sift sand as well.

thanks santoury and i do think your right O. leucoticus look to be correct, i just looked up on google.
i may keep them they seem to have settled in well and have only been in the tank for a couple of hours.
the red edging to the fins are starting to show now too.

 

[santoury]

Do keep them. Very nice fish - Most people don't appreciate their coloring, but I personally do - Just a sweet fish all around.

 

[Fishyfan]

Nice tilapia

Heres a pic of my mossambicus:

 

[sandtiger]

I would keep the O. leucoticus. I have always been a fan of Oreochromis species. They are one of the first cichlid I ever really had contact with (in a hatchery setting) and got me hooked on cichlids. Someday I would like to own a Nile tilapia.

O. niloticus

 

[straitjacketstar]

Though I agree that the fish pictured are not O. mossambicus (males of which can vary in temper but usually aren't hyperaggressive unless there are females around) I do not agree about the fish being O. leucostictus. Perhaps O. tanganicae IMO.