Original description:
- Dunz, Andreas R. & Uldich K. Schliewen. 2013. "Molecular phylogeny and revised classification ofthe haplotilapiine cichlid fishes formerly referred to as "Tilapia"". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 68(2013):64-80. DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2013.03.015 (crc05007) (abstract)
Type species: Tilapia joka Thys van den Audenaerde, 1969 (original designation).