Biology:Heterotilapia buttikoferi

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Short description: Species of fish

Heterotilapia buttikoferi
Cichlidae - Heterotilapia buttikoferi.JPG
A Heterotilapia buttikoferi in an aquarium
Scientific classification edit
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Cichliformes
Family: Cichlidae
Genus: Heterotilapia
Species:
H. buttikoferi
Binomial name
Heterotilapia buttikoferi
(Hubrecht, 1881)
Synonyms[1]
  • Boulenger, 1911 Hubrecht, 1881
  • Tilapia buttikoferi Chromis buttikoferi
  • (Hubrecht, 1881) Tilapia ansorgii

Heterotilapia buttikoferi, also known as the zebra tilapia, is a West African species of cichlid.

Description

H. buttikoferi is a large cichlid, capable of growing up to 30.8 cm (12.1 in) in standard length. Body is typically yellow or white with black stripes which can vary from very light to near black depending on the mood of the fish. The vertical black bars are broader than the lighter interspaces.[2] Their stripes tend to fade as they age.

Distribution and habitat

This freshwater fish is native to large rivers in tropical West Africa from Guinea-Bissau to Liberia.[2] People have imported and bred them in several other parts the world for aquarium or food purposes.

H. buttikoferi is an alien species in Thailand where it has been introduced for use as an aquarium fish.[3]

Etymology

The specific name honours the Swiss zoologist Johann Büttikofer (1850-1927), the collector of the type.[4]


See also

  • List of freshwater aquarium fish species

References

External links

Wikidata ☰ Q25404431 entry