Oreochromis urolepis hornorum

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Oreochromis urolepis hornorum
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Superclass: Osteichthyes
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Cichlidae
Genus: Oreochromis
Species: O. urolepis
Subspecies: O. u. hornorum
Trinomial name
Oreochromis urolepis hornorum

Oreochromis urolepis hornorum is a cichlid that grows to over 20 cm in length and is considered a useful food fish in Tanzania and the island of Zanzibar, where it may have been introduced by man. It is colloquially known as the "Wami tilapia" and often by an obsolete scientific name, Tilapia hornorum. It is tolerant of brackish water and grows well in saline pools, making it particularly suitable for aquaculture by communities living close to the sea. Like other tilapia it is an omnivore and will feed on algae, plants, small invertebrates, and detritus.

The Wami tilapia has also been hybridised with the Mozambique tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus; the resulting fish produce broods almost entirely consisting of males. Male tilapia grow faster and to a more uniform size than females, making them particularly useful for aquaculture.

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