Occasionally forms schools (Ref. 2, 363, 36900), mainly diurnal (Ref. 2). Tolerant of low oxygen concentrations, less than 1 ppm, and high levels of carbon dioxide (Ref. 3, 52016). A plankton-feeder using the mucus-trap mechanism combined with the combing action of the pharyngeal teeth (Ref. 2); the species is non-selective, in the sense that all organisms of a size capable of being retained by these means are passed into the stomach, but it is selective in that the schools follow concentrations of diatoms in the lake (Ref. 2). Food consist almost entirely of phytoplankton (Ref. 3, 6316), mainly diatoms (Ref. 4903, 30832, 34291), but also higher plants, insects and their larvae, crustaceans and worms like Tubifex (Ref. 27292); insect larvae and planktonic crustaceans occur less frequently although they may contribute to the diet of young fishes (Ref. 4903, 34291). A maternal mouthbrooder (Ref. 363, 4903, 12468, 27292, 34291, 54840, 118638); males make simple nests in shallow water (Ref. 118638). Ecologically, an offshore-living plankton feeder, which complemented the more inshore-living Oreochromis variabilis in the original ecosystem of Lake Victoria; these niches are now filled by the introduced Oreochromis niloticus and O. leucostictus respectively (Ref. 118638). Was a major component of the fisheries catch in Lake Victoria; supports artisanal fisheries in satellite lakes of Lake Victoria and forms a large part of the catch in Lake Rukwa, Nyumba ya Mungu and the central Tanzania lakes (Ref. 118638). Excellent taste, firm meat and suitable for sundrying (Ref. 54860). IUCN conservation status is critically endangered (Ref. 118638).
生存在温度范围从 23.0-28.0 °C 。 (参考文献 3) 宽容的溶氧量低集中 (<1个 ppm)(参考文献 3,48262,52016) 与高度二氧化碳.(参考文献 3,52016) 偶然地形成鱼群。 (参考文献 2,3,363,36900,52061,55020) 主要日行性.(参考文献 2) 滤食动物.(参考文献 787) 食物几乎完全地浮游植物 (参考文献 3) 组成, 主要地硅藻 (参考文献 30832,34291) 也较高等的植物 (参考文献 27292), 与小的动物例如昆虫與他們的幼體, 甲殼動物 (參考文獻 4903,27292) 與蠕蟲 (參考文獻 27292),被作為得好,但是他們時常出現比較少量而且可能有助於幼魚的到食性.(參考文獻 4903,34291) 只有矽藻 (參考文獻 4903,54979) 與一些藍綠色與綠藻 (參考文獻 361) 狀似消化。 無性的 (參考文獻 12468) 又母親的 moutbrooder.(參考文獻 363,4903,12468,27292,34291,54840) 優良的品嚐, 結實的肉而且適合做雜物.(參考文獻 54860)