Author: Rüppell, 1852
FBname: Blackchin tilapia
Comments: This species can tolerate high salinity (Ref. 5723).  It occurs abundantly in mangrove areas and ventures in to both fresh, like lower reaches of streams (Ref. 5723) and salt waters in native and non-native ranges (Ref. 46816, 53405).  In West Africa, this species is confined to brackish lagoons and estuaries, and is abundant in the mangrove zone (Ref. 2).  Forms schools; is mainly nocturnal with intermittent daytime feeding.  Feeds on aufwuchs and detritus (Ref. 2), as well as on bivalves and zooplankton (Ref. 28587).  Feeding behaviour: picking up and swallowing "bites" (no gill rakers) (Ref. 55661).