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).