Cichlid species

Freshwater species not currently found in South Australia.

There are a number of highly aggressive cichlid species including Tilapia species and Pearl Cichlids. During breeding season these species become highly aggressive in competing for food and habitat with native species.

Declared noxious under the Fisheries Management Act 2007. Noxious species are a severe threat to the natural environment and industries. They cannot be held or traded in South Australia without specific authorisation and must not be returned to the water if caught. Some species in the family Cichlidae are declared noxious

This family is both large and diverse. Cichlid species are varied in appearance.

What to look for Mozambique Tilapia (Oreochromis spp) (Noxious):

• vary in colour from dark olive to silver-grey depending on age and environment
• generally deep bodies fish with long snouts and pronounced lips/jaws
• upper fin tends to be continuous (native fish tend to have gap/dent)
• belly fins are long and almost touch the front of the anal fin.

What to look for Sarotherodon melanotheron – Blackchin Tilapia (noxious)

• up to 28 cm
• is pale in colour, that colour varying in shades including light blue, orange and golden yellow which normally has dark patches on the chin of adults
• normally has dark colouration on the posterior edge of the gill and on the tips of the soft rays of the dorsal fin
• body is typically marked with irregular bars, spots or splotches.

What to look for Tilapia spp. (All except T. buttikoferi- Zebra tilapia) (noxious):

• Spotted Tilapia (Tilapia mariae), also known as Black Mangrove Cichlids
• Redbelly Tilapia (Tilapia zillii), also known as Zille’s cichlid

What to look for Pearl Cichlid (exotic species):

• colours change with moods and during mating sessions
• overall background of both males and females is a greyish-green
• one dark spot which may or may not be visible on its body, located towards its tail
• may also display several black bands running top to bottom down its body
• has bright blue speckles across its body, which shine bright in a healthy fish
• red fins which may have blueish tones and be tipped in black, but again these colours may change, brighten or fade depending on the mood
• up to 30 cm in length
• established in NSW

What to look for Giant Cichlid/ Yellow Belly Cichlid Boulengerochromis microlepis (noxious species):

• maximum adult length of about 70 cm
• a yellow-green base colour, with faint vertical dark green lines running down from the dorsal fin, these get darker as the fish ages
• head is speckled with blue spots.