Otjikoto Tilapia
Otjikoto Tilapia is a critically endangered species that naturally occurs in a single location, Lake Guinas in Namibia, a deep sinkhole lake that is only 50 m in diameter.
The current population trend is unknown. Two major threats are ground water extraction and possible introduction of invasive cichlid species that could compete for food and space (Oreochromis mossambicus) or pose a risk to interbreed with Otjikoto Tilapia (Tilapia sparrmanii).
The species is introduced into another sinkhole lake, Lake Otjikoto, and several farm dams in the area.
Conservation
■ Included in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species in 1988, listed as Critically Endangered (CR) since 1996.
Taxonomy
■ Phylum Chordata – chordates
■ Class Actinopterygii – ray-finned fishes
■ Order Perciformes – perciform fishes
■ Family Cichlidae – cichlids
■ Species Tilapia guinasana – Otjikoto Tilapia
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