Tilapia busumana (Günther 1903)

Diagnosis: 8-12 lower gill-rakers; median outer teeth on jaws bicuspid not spatulated, lateral ones conical; inner teeth tricuspid with 3 cuspids equal in young specimens and central cuspid more developed in adults; adults with distinct occipital hump (Ref. 53405).Description: slender or deep-bodied, depending on the population (riverine or lacustrine); frontal profile usually slightly convex; caudal fin moderately rounded to truncate (Ref. 52307). Lower pharyngeal bone as long as broad, length of toothed part 51.2-61.2% of total bone length; posterior pharyngeal teeth bicuspid, not broadened; micro-gillrakers present; scales cycloid (Ref. 53405).Coloration: in life: adults from rivers: bluish-green, darker on snout and occiput, with some traces of cross bars and black spot at base of every scale on sides; pectoral fins transparent; pelvics light greyish-green, lighter anteriorly; anal fin greyish-green; dorsal and caudal fins greenish- to greyish-blue, with some narrow speckled areas between rays; "tilapian" spot often located partly on spinous part of dorsal fin; distal margin of dorsal fin and upper angle of caudal fin yellow-orange (Ref. 53405). Adults from Lake Bosumtwi: more bluish-purple to blackish, darker on underside of head and body; fins bluish-grey; distal margin of dorsal fin (continuing on upper angle of caudal fin) whitish to bluish-white (Ref. 53405). Juveniles: greyish, with 8-10 cross bars and sometimes mid-lateral horizontal band; distal margin of dorsal fin red; "tilapian" spot well visible (Ref. 53405).

Dorsal spines (total): 14 - 16; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 13; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 7 - 9

Adapted to living in fast-flowing rivers with rapids (Ref. 2). Pair-bonding, open substratum spawner, with both parents guarding the brood (Ref. 52307).

fisheries: ; aquarium: commercial

Tilapia busumana is a species of cichlid native to Lake Bosumtwi, the Bia River Basin, the Pra River Basin and the Tano River Basin in Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire. This species can reach a length of 18 centimetres (7.1 in) SL. It can also be found in the aquarium trade. In 2013, research published by Dunz & Schliewen indicated that this species does not belong in the genus Tilapia, but is rather closer to "Steatocranus" irvinei (itself not related to the remaining Steatocranus) and Gobiocichla. It is currently retained in Tilapia pending further research.