Scientific Name
Alcolapia alcalica
Common Name
Magadi tilapia
Biology
Dorsal
spines
(total): 9 - 14;
Dorsal
soft rays
(total): 11-15;
Anal
spines: 3;
Anal
soft rays: 9 - 11;
Vertebrae: 27 - 30. Mature females with an overall golden hue; males with the flanks a pale blue and the lateral parts of the lower lip swollen and brilliant. In full color the blue spots on the scales become iridescent. The genital papilla is conical, prominent and yellow in the mature male, less prominent, but swollen in the mature female. Scale rows on cheeks 3-4. Preorbital bone with only 4 pores and no scales. (Ref.4967)