The redbreast tilapia is a fighting fish that anglers delight in catching. It has has been introduced into dams where the need to check the growth of weeds is required

Other names: Afrikaans -- Rooibors-kurper :

In the warmer subtropical parts of southern Africa the rapid breeding rate and the weed-eating diet of the redbreast tilapia make it a reasonably successful commercial species. It differs from Mozambique tilapia by not being 'mouth-brooders'.

Interesting facts about Redbreast Tilapia statistics / bio:

Diet: The redbreast tilapia feeds on algae, plants, small crustaceans, worms, and larvae, but prefers a vegetation diet such as the thick growth of weed, found in still waters.


Reproduction (Breeding): The male redbreast tilapia clears out a saucer like hollow, or nest, in a patch of vegetation near the margins of a body of water. He burrows a series of 'pockets' into the nest, and the female redbreast tilapia lays her eggs into these, after which the male fertilises them while they are in the pockets, often on plant roots. The parents sometimes move the eggs to one or more similar depressions nearby, and both of them will watch over the eggs until the young fry hatch out and are able to swim away.

Distribution (Range): The redbreast tilapia occurs throughout tropical Africa, as far south as the lower Phongolo River in the east and the Kunene River in the west, and it has been introduced to many parts of KwaZulu-Natal.

Size: The average weight of the redbreast tilapia averages 1 kg, but they could reach a weight of over 2 kg.


Colour: The upper surface of the of the redbreast tilapia is olive with light brown edges to the scales. The dorsal fin has a red margin, and in adults the throat and belly are red. The lower half of the tail is red or yellow below, and green on top. Young redbreast tilapia are silver.

Most like: The redbreast tilapia strongly resembles the banded tilapia, the difference being that the banded tilapia has 8 or 9 vertical stripes, while the redbreast tilapia has 5 or 6 vertical stripes, and a red throat and belly.

Habitat: Redbreast tilapia can be found in perennial rivers, lakes and in quiet pools.