| Main Ref. | Kullander, S.O., 1989 |
| Appearance refers to | |
| Bones in OsteoBase |
| Specialized organs | |
| Different appearance | |
| Different colors | |
| Remarks |
| Striking features | |
| Body shape lateral | elongated |
| Cross section | compressed |
| Dorsal head profile | |
| Type of eyes | |
| Type of mouth/snout | |
| Position of mouth | |
| Type of scales | |
| Diagnosis |
This species is distinguished from all other cichlids by having only two (vs. three or more) anal spines; differs from B. opercularis by lacking anguloarticular lateralis canal; 3 or 4 (vs. 5) skin openings and 2 or 3 (vs. 4) canal fragments representing the dentary lateralis canal; dorsal fin with slightly prolonged anterior spines and lappets; modal dorsal fin count VII.15 (vs. VIII.14); and 6 (vs. 5) dark spots along the middle of the side (Ref. 86446). |
| Ease of Identification |
| Lateral Lines | Interrupted: No |
| Scales on lateral line | |
| Pored lateral line scales | |
| Scales in lateral series | |
| Scale rows above lateral line | |
| Scale rows below lateral line | |
| Scales around caudal peduncle | |
| Barbels | |
| Gill clefts (sharks/rays only) | |
| Gill rakers | |
| on lower limb | |
| on upper limb | |
| total | |
| Vertebrae | |
| preanal | |
| total |
| Attributes | |
| Fins number | |
| Finlets No. | Dorsal |
| Ventral | |
| Spines total | 7 - 8 |
| Soft-rays total | 14 - 16 |
| Adipose fin |
| Attributes |
| Fins number | |
| Spines total | 2 - 2 |
| Soft-rays total | 6 - 8 |
| Pectoral | Attributes |
| Spines | |
| Soft-rays 14 - 15 | |
| Pelvics | Attributes |
| Position | |
| Spines | |
| Soft-rays |