TITLE:
On The Biology of Tilapia zillii (Gervais1848) in Lake Kinneret (Israel)
AUTHORS:
Moshe Gophen
KEYWORDS:
T. zillii, Kinneret, Breeding, Temperature, ENSO, River Jordan
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Ecology,
Vol.6 No.4,
March
15,
2016
ABSTRACT: Fish
(mostly Tilapia zillii), (TZ), mass mortality in Lake Kinneret initiated
a study of the biology of TZ in Lake Kinneret. The study included several
aspects: spawning and nesting behavior, feeding habits, the status of TZ in the
Kinneret fishery and temperature tolerance. The merit of TZ to commercial
landing fishery is negligible, but this specimen is one of the most common
fishes in the lake. Several environmental factors are considered as promoters
of the epilimnetic temperature decline: Jordan water inputs in winter season as
a heat source parameter. ENSO (EL-NIÑO/Southern Oscillation) acts as a cooling
enhancement factor. Supportive data on the impact of ENSO were found in two
terrestrial agricultural monitors in the northern and southern parts of the
drainage basin. Gut content analysis of young fingerlings and an adult TZ
specimen, indicated the significant contribution of benthic sources which are
common in the shallows. The great adaptive capabilities of breeding TZ with
various bottom habitats are demonstrated.