234 



CICHLID.E. 



G7. TILAPIA LACRIMOSA. 



Bouleng. Ann. & Mao-. N. H. (7) xvii. 1906, p. 450, Fish. Nile, p. 515, pi. xci. 

 fig. 3 (1907), and Ann. Mus. Geneva, (3) v. 1911, p. 73. 



Depth of body 2^- to 3 times in total length, length of head 3 to 

 3y times. Head 2 to 2J times as long as broad, snout with straight or 

 slightly convex upner profile, as long as broad, or a little broader than 

 long, as long as eye, which is 3 J to 3^ times in length of head, equals 

 interorbital width, and exceeds least depth of prseorhital ; mouth 

 moderately oblique, extending to below anterior border of eye or a little 

 beyond ; teeth in 3 to 5 series, outer bicuspid, inner tricuspid, 30 to 50 

 in outer series of upper jaw ; 3 or 4 series of scales on the cheek, width 

 of scaly part a little less than diameter of eye. Gill-rakers short, 7 to 9 



Fiff. 154. 



Tilapia l<icrinws<(. 

 Type (E. N.). 



on lower part of anterior arcli. Dorsal XV-X VI 8-9 ; spines increasing 

 in length to the last, which measures f to ^ length of head ; longest 

 soft rays f to f length of head. Anal III 8-9 ; third spine as long as 

 and stronger than last dorsal. Pectoral as long as head, extending to 

 vertical of origin of anal or a little beyond. Ventral reaching origin of 

 anal or a little beyond. Caudal truncate. Caudal peduncle 1^ to 

 If times as long as deep. Scales strongly denticulate, 30-34 i2=T3» 

 lateral lints iq_j3. Pale olive or reddish brown above, white or grey 

 beneath ; belly sometimes (in males) blackish ; usually two blackish 

 cross-bars on the u])per surface of the snout and a broader one on 

 the occiput ; a black vertical bar below anterior third of eye, rarely 



