Zambia Philately: Green-Headed Bream (Tilapia macrochir)

Oreochromis macrochir (greenhead bream) is a species of cichlid native to the Zambezi Basin, Lake Mweru, and Lake Bangweulu. It has been used extensively for stocking ponds and dams in other parts of southern Africa, but is little-used elsewhere.

In Lake Mweru, it is economically the most important fish. The fish was introduced into Lake Alaotra in Madagascar in 1954, and proliferated quickly. By 1957, it provided 46% of the catch, perhaps because it was moving into an empty ecological niche as a phytophagous species.

Stamps & Postal Products

1971 Fish of Zambia – 10n Green-headed Bream (Tilapia macrochir)

References