Locally, T. simonis remains common and an important part of fisheries, but overall it has declined and it is considered threatened.[4] In contrast, T. sacra has been extinct since 1989–90, possibly due to the disappearance of its breeding habitat, marshes in Lake Tiberias.[5]
Tristramella reach up to 25–28 cm (10–11 in) in total length.[6] Overall they resemble typical tilapias and the Tristramella species differ from each other mainly in details of their teeth, the proportional size of their head and the length of their jaw.[7][8] They feed mostly on phyto– and zooplankton, but also take other small invertebrates, tiny fish, macrophytes and detritus. They are mouthbrooders that lay a relatively small number (up to 250) of relatively large eggs.[8] Although hybrids are well known among tilapias, hybrids between Tristramella and other tilapias are unknown. Despite both living in Lake Tiberias and them being close relatives, hybridization between T. simonis and the now-extinct T. sacra also is not known to have occurred.[9]
^ abBorkenhagen, K.; J. Freyhof (2009). "New records of the Levantine endemic cichlid Tristramella simonis from Syria". Cybium. 33 (4): 335–336.
^ abShapiro, J.; Z. Snovsky (1997). "The effect of the 1991/1992 winter upon the fishing industry of Lake Kinneret, Israel". Fisheries Management and Ecology. 4 (3): 249–252. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2400.1997.00122.x.
^Steinitz, H.; A. Ben-Tuvia (1960). "The Cichlid fishes of the genus Tristramella Trewavas". Annals and Magazine of Natural History. 13. 27 (3): 161–175. doi:10.1080/00222936008650912.
^ abSerruya, C., ed. (1978). Lake Kinneret. Dr. W. Junk bv Publishers, The Hague–Boston–London. pp. 420–424. ISBN978-94-009-9954-1.
^Kornfield, I.L.; U. Ritte; C. Richler; J. Wahrman (1979). "Biochemical and Cytological Differentiation Among Cichlid Fishes of the Sea of Galilee". Evolution. 33 (1): 1–14. doi:10.2307/2407360. JSTOR2407360.
