Diagnosis: A relatively small bodied tilapia species; larger individuals were found to have large heads, thin bodies and an overall emaciated appearance, referred to as 'hunger form tilapia' (Ref. 118638). Length of head 37.6-40.5% of standard length; toothed area of lower pharyngeal with concave sides; median length of bone 1.0-1.24 times its width and 31.6-35.5% of head length; blade 1.2-1.4 times median length of toothed area; length of lower jaw 32.0-39.0% of head length; teeth of jaws in 4 or 5 rows (Ref. 2). Females and non-territorial males have grey bodies and 4-5 vertical bars; ventral region lighter; some juveniles very dark overall (Ref. 118638). Breeding males black with a thin white/orange dorsal margin (Ref. 2, 118638).

Description: High head/body ratio (Ref. 54852). Mouth extending between nostrils and eye (Ref. 1820). Teeth in 3-4 series in upper jaw (Ref. 1820, 54852), 4-5 in lower jaw (Ref. 54852). Scales cycloid (Ref. 1820), in 2-3 series on cheek (Ref. 1820, 54852). Last dorsal spine the longest; third anal spine longer than last dorsal spine; pectoral fin reaching middle or end of anal fin; pelvic fins not reaching anal fin (Ref. 1820). Caudal not densely scaled (Ref. 1820, 54852), but with small scales extending part-way along upper and lower rays (Ref. 54852). Genital papilla with 2 bunches of short branches (Ref. 2), arising from a club-shaped base (Ref. 54852). Testes broad, white and sinuous when fully ripe (Ref. 2).

Colouration: Preserved specimens: ripening males dark brown, including the fins and dorsal lappets; specimen of about 5cm with dark dorsal fin and back, and four black spots produced vertically along the middle of the flank; specimen of about 6cm pale without markings, the vertical fins faintly dusky (Ref. 54852).