Diagnosis: lower lateral line extending far forward (Ref. 52962).

Description: deep-bodied with a strongly curved back (Ref. 52307). Dorsum strongly recurved from nape to caudal peduncle but ventrum flattened; deepest body depth along back is at or little behind origin of dorsal fin; predorsal profile more or less straight and steep (Ref. 52346). 3 series of scales on cheek (Ref. 52971). Mouth might be slightly inclined in larger individuals; lips well-developed but not markedly thickened or fleshy (Ref. 52346). Maxillary not extending to below eye (Ref. 52971). Pharyngeal apophysis of the Tylochromis type (Ref. 53524). Entire premaxillary oral valve present; interorbital region with unfrequently developed fleshy bulge; most specimens with "straight-snouted" appearance; inferior vertebral apophysis of the standard Tylochromis type; upper branch of lateral line terminates a little in advance of the end of the dorsal fin; 2 series of scales between upper lateral line and anterior part of lower (Ref. 52346). 24-29 scales in lower lateral line (Ref. 52971). Dorsal and ventral branches of lateral line on caudal fin often difficult to distinguish but invariably present and extend about 2/3 of the way onto the fin; median branch frequently missing but when present rarely extends more than halfway along the fin; dorsal fin spines increase in length to 4th-5th and are then more or less equal in length; anal fin rounded; caudal fin strongly emarginate and only finely scaled in dorsal and ventral fields; pectoral fins usually reach origin of soft anal fin but rarely extend beyond that; first branched ray of pelvic fins produced and filamentous and frequently reaches soft anal fin (Ref. 52346).

Coloration: pale greenish-yellowish (Ref. 52307). Approximately 6 blackish transversal bands, scales often blackish at center (Ref. 2970). Head, front of body, pelvic fins and lower lobe of caudal fin often with red; dorsal fin smokey brown with numerous rows of pale spots; anal fin smokey grey (Ref. 52346). Males: darker than females; tend to have lost all traces of vertical striping; yellowish in color with white lips; anal fin with 2-3 rows of pale spots; caudal fin with pattern of dark spotting and striping characteristic of Tylochromis males (Ref. 52346). Mature females: tend to be darker than juveniles; red patch on opercular bones; dark nape band well-marked and distinct; mostly with retention of traces of vertical striping; preserved fish frequently silvery (Ref. 52346). Juveniles: typically dusky grey over snout and interorbital region; faint opercular blotch usually contacts nape stripe and 6 vertical bars extend well below midline onto flanks; in small specimens short bars alternate with main vertical stripes in typical "juvenile barring" pattern; dorsal fin smokey brown and spotted with rows of whitish spots (Ref. 52346).