Diagnosis: 10 or fewer rakers on lower limb of first arch; unpaired fins not predominantly red-brown; mouth terminal; caudal fin densely covered with scales and with network of clear spots and lines; at least 1 row (sometimes 2) of dark spots in the middle of the body; a black sickle-shaped spot at the base of each flank scale; dorsal fin with 15-16 spines and 9-11 soft rays (total rays 24-26); anal fin with 3 spines and 7-9 soft rays; 27-29 scales in lateral line; outer row teeth relatively fine (Ref. 81260).
Description: head length 32.3-35.0% SL; lower pharyngeal jaw with pointed and curved anterior teeth and straight tricuspid posterior teeth; ventral keel shorter than dentigerous plate; 2-4 tooth rows in oral jaws, outer row teeth relatively fine, bicuspids (Ref. 81260).
Coloration: flanks yellowish white, creamy white ventrally, dark brown dorsally; flank scales with a black marking at the base; belly, throat and chest whitish in juveniles, becoming red in sexually mature specimens; 7 vertical bars, narrowing ventrally, transversed by 2 horizontal bands; where bars and bands intersect they form a series of blotches; dorsal fin greyish with some clear maculae and a well marked "tilapia spot"; caudal fin dark with numerous maculae, particularly near the distal border; anal fin very dark to black, sometimes tinted with red; pelvics with black leading edge; pectoral fins transparent (Ref. 81260).
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