Diagnosis: body oblong (body depth 32.0-46.1% SL); outer teeth on jaws bicuspid and spatulated; micro-gillrakers present; transversal bands on the flanks (Ref. 53405).

Description: body relatively slender; frontal profile steep, in large specimens sometimes slightly concave (Ref. 52307). Lower pharyngeal bone as long as broad, length of toothed part 50.0-67.1% of total bone length; inner jaw teeth tricuspid, posterior pharyngeal teeth bicuspid and not broadened; scales cycloid (Ref. 53405).

Coloration: preserved specimens: yellowish-grey, with 8-9 dark cross bars on back and sides; upper side of head dark brown; dark preorbital band running from eye to corner of mouth; midlateral longitudinal band sometimes present; "tilapian" spot well visible; pectoral fins transparent; pelvics greyish, darker anteriorly; dorsal, anal and caudal fins greyish, but dorsal and caudal marked with light spots; distal margin of dorsal fin blackish in some specimens (Ref. 53405). Depending on situation, 2 longitudinal stripes may be present instead of vertical bars (especially when breeding), at other times a combination of these patterns is present; rarely, neither stripes nor bars present; males often with bluish stripes and dots in dorsal and anal fin; also male dorsal and upper parts of caudal fin sometimes with a thin red margin; caudal fin sometimes with reddish spots; anal and pelvic fins with a dark anterior edge (Ref. 52307).