Oreochromis urolepis (often presented as O. u. hormorum) or Wami Tilapia is native to Tanzania, including the Wami River, This species is similar to O. mossambicus (Mozambique Tilapia), with which it also hybridizes. It is a deep-bodied fish reaching 440 mm in length. As in other tilapias, the male fish broods the eggs in its mouth, and tolerates brackish and marine waters. Oreochromis 'urolepis' was introduced to southern California and Puerto Rico for aquaculture and biocontrol of aquatic vegetation and midges. 'Wami Tilapia' stocks, imported from Malaysia, may have already been hybridized with O. mossambicus. Consequently, purebred O. urolepis may not exist in the wild. Oreochromis 'mossambicus' in California and elsewhere may be hybrids, but they are usually treated as a single species for convenience.