Hornet Tilapia (Tilapia buttikoferi) Care Guide
Tilapia buttikoferi is a large striped West African cichlid reaching about 30 cm, an aggressive substrate spawner needing a very large tank with robust tankmates.
Overview
Tilapia buttikoferi, the hornet or zebra tilapia, is a large West African cichlid that reaches about 30.8 cm in standard length. The body is yellow or white with broad black vertical bars whose intensity shifts with the fish's mood; the stripes tend to fade with age. It is also placed in the genus Heterotilapia as Heterotilapia buttikoferi.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Tilapia
- Scientific name: Tilapia buttikoferi
- Common synonym: Heterotilapia buttikoferi
Habitat
According to FishBase and Wikipedia, the species is native to larger river systems in tropical West Africa, from Guinea-Bissau (Geba and Corubal rivers) to western Liberia (St John River), favouring rocky substrates rather than small creeks. It has been introduced beyond its native range and is recorded as an alien species in Thai reservoirs.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 500 L
- Temperature: 24-28 °C (75-82 °F)
- pH: 6.0-8.0
- GH: 2-20 °dGH
- Lifespan: 10-15 years
Diet
The species is an omnivore with a herbivorous leaning. In the aquarium it takes a varied diet with substantial vegetable content alongside prepared and frozen foods, fed twice daily. Live plants are typically eaten.
Compatibility
This is a highly aggressive cichlid that holds very large territories. It is suitable only for spacious tanks with the largest, most robust West African companions, and should not be combined with Rift Lake mbuna, hard-water cichlids or smaller fish. It is not safe with plants.
Breeding
FishBase describes the species as a biparental open-substratum spawner that holds very large territories and may spawn year-round, with both parents guarding eggs and fry.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 16 January 2020).