Author: (Trewavas, 1941)
FBname: Karonga tilapia
Remark: Turner and Robinson (1991) (Ref. 55079) conclude that <i>Oreochromis saka</i> is a junior synonym of <i>O. karongae</i> (also Ref. 6150), although Turner et al. (1989) (Ref. 40180) reported <i>O. squamipinnis</i> to be most similar to <i>O. saka</i> and <i>O. karongae</i> the most divergent (Ref. 55954).
Comments: It is found in all kinds of habitats; it has been observed in shallow vegetated bays, in intermediate habitats, over sand, and in purely rocky biotopes (Ref. 5595). At most locations it is found at shallow levels, rarely deeper than 10 metres (Ref. 5595), but it can be present from the surface waters to depths of 40-50m (Ref. 118638). It feeds on phytoplankton and on diatom sediment on the sand; the so-called 'multitooth' morph at Cape Maclear grazes from rocks and might harvest the loose aufwuchs (Ref. 5595). A maternal mouthbrooder; males defend territories from shallow water down to at least 28m; males dig pits, which are sometimes huge craters with a small raised platform of fine sand (Ref. 118638). It is an important component of the fisheries catch in Lake Malawi (Ref. 118638). The IUCN conservation status is rated as endangered, based on declining fishery catches due to overfishing (Ref. 118638).