Tlie Freshwater Fishes of South Africa. 



487 



Dorsal xv-xvii 10-12 ; last spine longest, 4 to a little more than i 

 length of head ; longest soft rays i to f length of head. Pectoral 

 equal to or a little longer than head, reaching to vertical of origin of 

 anal or beyond. Ventral reaching vent or scarcely to origin of anal. 

 Anal iii 9-10 ; 3rd spine a little shorter or equal to last dorsal spine. 

 Caudal truncate or very slightly emargiiiate, the angles sometimes 

 rounded ; caudal peduncle as long as deep or slightly deeper than 



long. 



Scales cycloid, 27-32 ^g ; lateral lines J^J. 



FIG. 122. Tilapia natalensis. f . 



Colour (of preserved specimens), brown or reddish brown above, t 

 lighter or whitish beneath ; a blackish opercular spot, sometimes 

 followed by a more or less distinct series of similar spots along the 

 side of the body above and below the upper lateral line ; young 

 usually with 7 or 8 more or less distinct vertical bars often in addition 

 to the 2 series of blackish spots ; vertical fins uniform or with small 

 round blackish spots or light spots separated by a dark network. 



Eight specimens, ranging from 55-98 mm. in length, from Lakeside, 

 Cape Peninsula (C. Sullivan). 



Two specimens, 73 mm., 131 mm. in length respectively, from 

 Buffalo River, East London (Mr. Wood). 



One specimen, 154 mm. in length, from Blind Eiver, Nahoon, East 

 London (brak water) (Mr. Brooking). 



