Scientific Name
Oreochromis spilurus niger
Common Name
Athi River tilapia
Biology
Dorsal
spines
(total): 17 - 19;
Dorsal
soft rays
(total): 9-12;
Anal
spines: 5;
Anal
soft rays: 9 - 10;
Vertebrae: 29 - 31. Scales on cheek in 2-3 series. Breeding males with flanks silver-grey, with yellow on the outer edges of the scales; 7-9 dark vertical bars which are not always visible and quickly lost on removal from the water; lower lip yellow. Females with flanks yellowish silver with faint vertical bars and no lateral spots; lower lip white.