Diagnosis: 21-25 rakers on lower limb of first arch; length of lower pharyngeal jaw < 43.5% of head length; 29-32 scales in lateral line series; head length 32.5-39% of standard length; toothed area of lower pharyngeal jaw broad > 2-3 times in keel length (Ref. 81260).

Description: head length 32.5-35.5% SL; lower pharyngeal jaw with unicuspid anterior teeth and straight posterior teeth; ventral keel elongate, longer than dentigerous plate; 1-4 rows of teeth in oral jaws, outer row teeth bicuspid (Ref. 81260).

Coloration: bluish grey, blue-purple dorsally, grey-white ventrally; 4-6 faint, narrow, vertical bars on flank and caudal peduncle; bars on flank thin and often extending well below level of mid-body; upper lip same color as upper part of snout, lower lip pale or whitish, same color as throat and chest; dorsal fin bluish grey, 2 rows of round clear maculae in interspinous membrane, maculae becoming more numerous in soft dorsal; "tilapia spot" only faintly evident, or absent; caudal fin dark bluish grey with clear maculae medially; anal fin dark bluish grey, more clear in upper part where there are sometimes clear maculae (Ref. 81260).