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Cichliformes (Cichlids, convict blennies) >
Cichlidae (Cichlids) > Pseudocrenilabrinae
Etymology: Astatotilapia: Greek, astato = unstable + Bechuana, African native thiape = fish (Ref. 45335).
Eponymy: Titus Flavius Josephus (37–c. [...] (Ref. 128868), visit book page.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; benthopelagic. Subtropical; 34°N - 30°N
Eurasia: endemic to the central part of Jordan system, in the vicinity of Lake Tiberias, the Basian valley and Muzairib (Israel, Jordan and Syria).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 12.8 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 4983); common length : 7.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 13609)
Lives in shallow water among stones and vegetation in lakes, ponds and streams (Ref. 13609). Females feed mainly on chironomid larvae, oligochaetes and amphipods while the diet of larger males consists mainly of gastropods (Ref. 13609). Breeds from April to July (Ref. 13609). Maternal mouthbrooder and juveniles are released at 8-9 mm TL (Ref. 13609).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Mouthbrooding by females (Ref. 2059).
Krupp, F. and W. Schneider, 1989. The fishes of the Jordan River drainage basin and Azraq Oasis. p. 347-416. In Fauna of Saudi Arabia. vol. 10. (Ref. 13609)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-1)
Vulnerable (VU) (B1ab(ii,iii)c(ii)+2ab(ii,iii)c(ii)); Date assessed: 23 January 2013
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
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Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5020 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.01445 (0.00674 - 0.03099), b=2.99 (2.82 - 3.16), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this (Sub)family-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 3.2 ±0.45 se; based on food items.
Resilience (Ref.
120179): High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low vulnerability (10 of 100).