Morphology Data of Tilapia busumana
Identification keys
Abnormalities
Main Ref. Teugels, G.G. and D.F.E. Thys van den Audenaerde, 2003
Appearance refers to
Bones in OsteoBase

Sex attributes

Specialized organs
Different appearance different morphology in juveniles and adults
Different colors
Remarks

Descriptive characteristics of juvenile and adult

Striking features
Body shape lateral fusiform / normal
Cross section
Dorsal head profile
Type of eyes
Type of mouth/snout
Position of mouth
Type of scales
Diagnosis

Diagnosis: 8-12 lower gill-rakers; median outer teeth on jaws bicuspid not spatulated, lateral ones conical; inner teeth tricuspid with 3 cuspids equal in young specimens and central cuspid more developed in adults; adults with distinct occipital hump (Ref. 53405).

Description: slender or deep-bodied, depending on the population (riverine or lacustrine); frontal profile usually slightly convex; caudal fin moderately rounded to truncate (Ref. 52307). Lower pharyngeal bone as long as broad, length of toothed part 51.2-61.2% of total bone length; posterior pharyngeal teeth bicuspid, not broadened; micro-gillrakers present; scales cycloid (Ref. 53405).

Coloration: in life: adults from rivers: bluish-green, darker on snout and occiput, with some traces of cross bars and black spot at base of every scale on sides; pectoral fins transparent; pelvics light greyish-green, lighter anteriorly; anal fin greyish-green; dorsal and caudal fins greenish- to greyish-blue, with some narrow speckled areas between rays; "tilapian" spot often located partly on spinous part of dorsal fin; distal margin of dorsal fin and upper angle of caudal fin yellow-orange (Ref. 53405). Adults from Lake Bosumtwi: more bluish-purple to blackish, darker on underside of head and body; fins bluish-grey; distal margin of dorsal fin (continuing on upper angle of caudal fin) whitish to bluish-white (Ref. 53405). Juveniles: greyish, with 8-10 cross bars and sometimes mid-lateral horizontal band; distal margin of dorsal fin red; "tilapian" spot well visible (Ref. 53405).

Ease of Identification

Meristic characteristics of Tilapia busumana

Lateral Lines 2 Interrupted: No
Scales on lateral line 27 - 29
Pored lateral line scales
Scales in lateral series
Scale rows above lateral line
Scale rows below lateral line
Scales around caudal peduncle
Barbels
Gill clefts (sharks/rays only)
Gill rakers
on lower limb 8 - 12
on upper limb
total
Vertebrae
preanal
total

Fins

Dorsal fin(s)

Attributes
Fins number 1
Finlets No. Dorsal   0
Ventral  0
Spines total 14 - 16
Soft-rays total 10 - 13
Adipose fin absent

Caudal fin

Attributes

Anal fin(s)

Fins number 1
Spines total 3 - 3
Soft-rays total 7 - 9

Paired fins

Pectoral Attributes  
Spines     
Soft-rays   
Pelvics Attributes  
Position    
Spines     
Soft-rays   
Main Ref. (e.g. 9948)
Glossary ( e.g. cephalopods )
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