Morphology Data of Oreochromis niloticus
Identification keys
Main Ref. Trewavas, E., 1983
Appearance refers to Male; Female
Bones in OsteoBase

Sex attributes

Specialized organs no special organs
Different appearance males alike females
Different colors different colors in mature adults only
Remarks

Descriptive characteristics of juvenile and adult

Striking features none
Body shape lateral fusiform / normal
Cross section compressed
Dorsal head profile more or less straight
Type of eyes more or less normal
Type of mouth/snout more or less normal
Position of mouth terminal
Diagnosis

A well-marked opercular spot. In mature males operculum pink; iris with bright red border; pelvic and pectoral fins pale yellow; anal orange-yellow with silvery spots and reddish edge; dorsal dark brown with silver-white spots on membrane. Mature females with cheeks and operculum iridescent green; lips pinkish; pelvic fins pale with greenish border; anal brown with translucent patches.

Ease of Identification

Meristic characteristics of Oreochromis niloticus

Lateral Lines 2 Interrupted: No
Scales on lateral line 31 - 33
Pored lateral line scales
Scales in lateral series
Scale rows above lateral line
Scale rows below lateral line 4 - 5
Scales around caudal peduncle
Barbels 0
Gill clefts (sharks/rays only) absent
Gill rakers
on lower limb 18 - 23
on upper limb
total
Vertebrae
preanal
total 29 - 31

Fins

Dorsal fin(s)

Attributes extending over most of the back length
Fins number 1
Finlets No. Dorsal   0
Ventral  0
Spines total 14 - 16
Soft-rays total 12 - 14
Adipose fin absent

Caudal fin

Attributes more or less truncate; more or less normal

Anal fin(s)

Fins number 1
Spines total 3 - 3
Soft-rays total 9 - 11

Paired fins

Pectoral Attributes  more or less normal
Spines     
Soft-rays   
Pelvics Attributes  more or less normal
Position    thoracic
Spines     
Soft-rays   
Main Ref. (e.g. 9948)
Glossary ( e.g. cephalopods )
Entered by Binohlan, Crispina B.
Modified by Reyes, Rodolfo B.
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cfm script by eagbayani, 17.10.00, php script by rolavides, 13/03/08 ,  last modified by sortiz, 06.27.17