Species guide
How to catch Mango tilapia
Sarotherodon galilaeus
The Mango tilapia is a short, deep-bodied freshwater fish native to Africa and Asia. It thrives in sandy or muddy bottom habitats with filamentous algae and is mainly active during the day. This species forms temporary pair bonds and occasionally schools, feeding by browsing and grazing on various small aquatic plants and organic material.
Where they live
Found in shallow freshwater and brackish waters in Africa and Asia, Mango tilapia prefer sandy or slightly muddy bottoms with filamentous algae, typically up to 5 meters deep and at temperatures between 9.5 and 32 °C.
Typical size
Up to about 40 cm
What they eat
- small aquatic plants
- midges
- organic debris
- algae species
- filamentous algae
- small planktonic organisms
Best baits
- worms
- vegetable-based baits
- bread
- small insects
Best lures
- small soft plastics
- micro jigs
- flies mimicking midges
- light spinning lures
How to fish for them
- bottom fishing
- light spinning
- fly fishing
- bait fishing
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