Heterotilapia buttikoferi, also known as the zebra tilapia, is a West African species of cichlid.

H. buttikoferi is a large cichlid, capable of growing up to 30.8 cm (12.1 in) in standard length.

This freshwater fish is native to large rivers in tropical West Africa from Guinea-Bissau to Liberia.

[2] People have imported and bred them in several other parts the world for aquarium or food purposes.

[4] The specific name honours the Swiss zoologist Johann Büttikofer (1850–1927), the collector of the type.