TILAPIA SPARRMANII . — Smith.* 
Pisces. — Plate V. 
T. capite corpore antice, abdomineque subroseis, purpureo-tinctis ; corpore postice pallide roseo-flavo, 
fasciistransvcrsis viridibus, variegato; pinnis dorsali, anali, caudalique pallide vmdibus, maciilis pur- 
puras fascias irrogulares formantibus notatis, marginibus flavis. 
Longxtudo, 4 unc. C lin. 
Colour, &c.— The head, the body in front of the pectoral fins, and the 
belly, a delicate rosy red, variegated with slight tints of purple; the general 
colour of the other parts of the body intermediate between rose-red and cream- 
yellow. On the sides, six or seven vertical bars of a pale green colour, and 
between them some pale ultra marine spots, which vary in number in differ- 
ent specimens. The hinder margins of the scales, particularly of those 
towards the dorsal fin, edged with olive brown. The stria forming the lateral 
line, are light greenish brown, and not readily seen in fresh specimens. 
Dorsal, anal, and caudal fins, pale grass green, the first margined superiorly 
the second interiorly, and the last posteriorly, with saffron-yellow, and a 
barred more or less regularly with oblique or vertical bands, composed of sma 
subquadrangular spots of a dull purple colour, those of the tail being best 
defined, and almost disposed in vertical rows. In addition to the purple spots, 
the dorsal fin has also three blackish spots towards the hinder parts of its 
* Generic characters of Tilapia.- Form oblong, subovate, laterally compressed. Head, rather short, and 
taperincr anteriorly ; month small, and opening directly in front ; Ups pulpy and soft. Teeth short slender 
■md rather widest at their points, which are either bilid or imperfectly trifid ; those of the upper jaw disposed 
• three rows , all upon the intermaxillary bones ; those of the lower in two; the teeth of the front row of 
each iaw largest and most regular ; no palatine teeth. Nostrils small, single, and situated above and slightly 
' ' front of the eyes. Eyes moderately large. Operculum posteriorly, slightly waved ; the covenng of the 
Zborbitary bones and the preoperculum perforated by several small pores. Two rudimentary forne on 
each side immediately above the upper extremity of the gills, with which they communicate. Gall rays 
Upper surface of the head anteriorly covered with smooth skin, rest of head and body coated with 
1 ’ * [circular scales. Lateral line interrupted, the anterior portion which commences at upper ex- 
large sem ^ . g muoh nearcr to thc back than the posterior portion, which runs along the middle of 
tremity o i ’ ^ hinder or soft rays longest. Stomach a ad de sac ; no earn ; intestines 
.fully equal calibre ttaougtat, '<”» »“«' “ d "P™ °“™ “bf bd ™f 
«t the .tomach, int.alLnc, &c, see Plate , two teoth of tho up,, or ,aw; 4, two of th. 
under jaw; c, viscera in situ; d, stomach. 
