Oreochromis

Oreochromis is a large genus of oreochromine cichlid fish endemic to Africa and the Middle East, comprising more than 30 species, 37 of them recognized in current taxonomy. Members are fairly robust, medium-small to very large cichlids ranging from about 9.4 to 61 centimeters in total length, primarily freshwater but with some species tolerant of brackish or even hypersaline water. The genus fossil record extends to the Late Miocene, and while some species have been introduced elsewhere for aquaculture, many native populations have restricted ranges and face serious threats from overfishing, habitat loss and hybridization with introduced Oreochromis species; two species are possibly already extinct.