The biology, ecology and fishery of Oreochromis esculentus in the Lake Victoria Basin

Abstract

Oreochromis esculentus an indigenous tilapiine species in Lake Victoria has become extinct due to a number of factors. These include, introduction of a more competitive species (Oreochromis niloticus), eutrophication and over exploitation through gill-nets. Aulocosira an important food item for the species was displaced by the blue-green algae that were less nutritive. The species has however remained in the satellite lakes where in some cases it supports the fisheries of the riparian communities. The paper reviews some aspects of distribution, feeding and reproduction of Oreochromis esculentus in selected satellite lakes.