TankBud

Ngege tilapia

Oreochromis esculentus

Also known as Graham's tilapia, Singida tilapia

FreshwaterFish

Ngege tilapia (Oreochromis esculentus)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
73–82°F
23–28°C
pH
7.0–8.5
Adult size
15.7 in
40 cm
Minimum tank
119 gal
450 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Mouthbrooder · Hard
Rarity
Rare
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
Lake Victoria basin

Overview

The Ngege tilapia is a large but relatively gentle cichlid from Lake Victoria that swims in open water. It is moderately demanding to keep.

Did you know

The Ngege tilapia was once the staple catch of Lake Victoria. After the Nile perch and Nile tilapia were introduced, its numbers collapsed. It now hangs on mostly in satellite lakes and refuges.

Caring for the Ngege tilapia

Give the Ngege tilapia at least 119 gal (450 L), with open swimming space over a sand floor. It does not need much decor beyond some rock and shallow areas.

The water should be warm, hardish and alkaline, at 73 to 82°F (23 to 28°C) and a pH of 7.0 to 8.5. In the wild it feeds on plankton and fine plant matter. In the tank it takes vegetable-based pellets, flake and greens.

Keep it singly or as a pair, or as a small group only in a very big tank. It swims mainly in open midwater and is peaceful for its size. It grows large, though, so choose robust, similarly sized tank mates with care and give it plenty of room.

The Ngege tilapia is a maternal mouthbrooder. The male digs a simple nest, and after spawning the female carries the eggs and fry in her mouth. It is seldom bred in aquariums, which is why its breeding is rated hard.

Good to know

The Ngege tilapia, Oreochromis esculentus, belongs to the cichlid family. Its species name, given in 1928, means edible. It is now critically endangered, so keeping one is a small act of conservation.

In the wild

The Ngege tilapia is native to Lake Victoria and its basin, a fish of warm, hardish, alkaline lakes. In the wild it lives out over open water and breeds in nests scooped in the shallows.

Common questions

What size tank does a Ngege tilapia need?

A Ngege tilapia needs at least 119 gal (450 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a Ngege tilapia need?

A Ngege tilapia is comfortable at 73–82°F (23–28°C) with a pH of 7.0–8.5.

What does a Ngege tilapia eat?

A Ngege tilapia takes vegetable-based pellets, flake and greens in the tank. In the wild it feeds on plankton and fine plant matter.

How big does a Ngege tilapia get?

An adult Ngege tilapia reaches about 15.7 in (40 cm).

How does a Ngege tilapia breed?

A Ngege tilapia male digs a simple nest. After spawning, the female holds the eggs and fry in her mouth. It is seldom bred in home tanks, and breeding is rated hard.

Related species