234 



CICHLID.E. 



67. TILAPIA LACRIMOSA. 



Bouleng. Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) xvii. 1906, p. 450, Fisli. Nile, p. 515, pi. xci. 

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



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

 oy times. Head 2 to 2^ times as long as broad, snout with straight or 

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

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

 interorbital width, and exceeds least depth of prseorbital ; 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 sculy part a little less than diameter of eye. Gill-rakers short, 7 to 9 



FiR. 154. 



2'ilapia lacrimusii. 

 Type (F. N.). 



on lower part of anterior arch. Dorsal XV-X VI 8-9 ; spines increasin<»' 

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

 soft rays f to | 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 IJ to 

 If times as long as deep. Scales strongly denticulate, 30-34 ™; 



19-24 



lateral lines jg^. Pale olive or reddish brown above, white or grey 

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

 cross-bars on the upper surface of the snout and a broader one on 

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



