Lagoon tilapia: bioprofile and prospects for coastal fisheries

Abstract

Lagoon tilapia Sarotherodon melanotheron also known as the black-chinned tilapia or the black-cheeked tilapia is a common fish in lagoons in Ghana, constituting over 90% of the ichthyomass in these habitats. Unfortunately its potential in the coastal fishery production has largely been overlooked although it supports important local subsistence and commercial fisheries. This lecture presents a review of the biology of populations of the species in Ghana highlighting my contributions in this regard. It will show how characteristics as tolerance range of brackish conditions, food habits, growth, reproductive habits, and ability to survive under harsh environmental conditions influence the production of natural populations. Recommendations are made for managing the natural lagoon and reservoir stocks, and aquaculture of the species.