ISSN:
1573-5133
Keywords:
Tilapia
;
Fish
;
Estuaries
;
Habitat
;
Salinity
;
Water currents
;
Competition
;
Predation
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Synopsis The distribution of Sarotherodon mossambicus in south east African estuaries is reviewed. It occurs commonly in closed estuaries and coastal lakes but is absent from open tidal estuaries. When a closed estuary opens to the sea the species usually retreats to the upper reaches. It is euryhaline and eurythermal and can feed on a wide variety of foods but experiments indicate that S. mossambicus avoids areas where current speeds exceed 370 m h−1. It is concluded that the distribution of S. mossambicus in estuarine systems is governed by an interplay of the following factors: salinity stability, water currents, suitable breeding sites, presence of marginal vegetation, marine competitors and marine piscivorous fish.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00005931
