Singida tilapia
A cichlid fish native to the Lake Victoria basin in East Africa.
The Singida tilapia is a cichlid species endemic to the Lake Victoria basin in Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya. Historically prized for its flesh, it has suffered severe population declines due to overfishing, invasive species, and habitat changes.
- Endemic to the Lake Victoria basin in East Africa
- Historically the most valued food fish in the lake
- Population declined by over 80% in 40 years
- Threatened by Nile perch and introduced tilapias
- Recently rediscovered in a limited area of Lake Victoria
What it is
The Singida tilapia, scientifically known as Oreochromis esculentus, is a species of cichlid fish. It is also called Graham's tilapia. This fish can grow to a standard length of 50 centimetres, though individuals larger than 30 centimetres are rare. It belongs to the group of fishes known as tilapias, which are popular in aquaculture and local fisheries across Africa.
Where it lives
This species is endemic to the Lake Victoria basin. Its range includes the main lake and satellite water bodies such as Lake Kyoga. It is found in the territories of Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya. The common name Singida refers to Lake Singida, but the fish there were introduced in the 1950s and are not part of the original native distribution.
How it lives
Historical records describe this fish as abundant and highly valued for the quality of its flesh. It was once the most important food fish in Lake Victoria for both local and non-local consumers. The species travels well and was found in greater numbers than other large fish like Bagrus species. It inhabits marginal waters and river mouths within the lake system.
Fish and people
Local fishermen know this fish as ngege. In the late 1920s, it was described as the premier food fish of Lake Victoria, superior in taste to other available species. Its convenient size made it ideal for trade. However, the introduction of European flax gill nets with specific mesh sizes led to a significant reduction in its numbers in areas close to markets.
Status and threats
The population has declined by more than 80 percent in the last four decades. Causes include early overfishing, the introduction of the predatory Nile perch, and competition from Nile tilapia and other introduced cichlids. Habitat degradation and climate change have also contributed. It was thought to be extirpated from the main lake but was recently rediscovered in a limited area. It is considered endangered or near threatened.
Questions people ask about Singida tilapia
What is the Singida tilapia?
It is a cichlid fish species endemic to the Lake Victoria basin. It is also known as Graham's tilapia or ngege. It was historically the most important food fish in the region due to its high quality flesh.
Why has the Singida tilapia population declined?
Its numbers dropped due to overfishing with gill nets, predation by the introduced Nile perch, and competition from other introduced tilapia species. Habitat degradation and climate change are also contributing factors.
Where is the Singida tilapia found?
It is native to the Lake Victoria basin, including satellite lakes like Kyoga, in Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya. Populations were also introduced to Lake Singida and the Pangani River basin.
Good reading and sources
- Oreochromis esculentus on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Oreochromis esculentus", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryFish rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.
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