Occurs in the Upper and Lower Save/Runde systems, Limpopo and its larger tributaries and throughout the Zambezi system and plateau sections of the larger tributaries such as the Mazowe and Manyame. Has been transplanted into many dams throughout the territory (Ref. 13337). Recorded from Lake Kariba (Ref. 58363). Its introduction to a number of impoundments in Zimbabwe led to the decline in macrophytes. This subsequently led to a decline and stunting of the O. mossambicus since a significant proportion of the diet of O. mossambicus are the epiphytic algae growing on the macrophytes (Ref. 6465). Also Ref. 88, 27619.