Diagnosis: parietal fontanella absent in adults and porelinke in juveniles, disappearing with growth; snout short, comprised over three times in head length; dorsal-fin origin at same level as, or scarcely behind, pelvic-fin insertions; head narrow; adults medium-sized; sexual dimorphism affecting anal-fin shape in adult males; no band or spots on sides; caudal fin red, not black-edged; 4.5 scales between lateral line and dorsal fin; 21-31 lateral line scales; 11-16 anal fin branched rays; 8/8 premaxillary teeth; 16-20 gill rakers in lower part of first branchial arch (Ref. 2880, 81279).

Description: anal fin with 3 branched and 11-16 unbranched rays; jaws equal; premaxilla with two tooth rows, each comprising 8 teeth; in larger individuals, two teeth of the anterior row become dislodged, thus forming a second row (Ref. 2880, 81279).

Colouration: ground colour silvery, back darker (greenish or brownish), belly lighter; black humeral spot; black blotch on caudal peduncle, sometimes extending partially or totally unto caudal-fin rays; colour of fins variable with hydrographic basin: rayed fins yellowish or reddish and adipose fin red (Congo, Ghana, South Africa), paired fins yellow and adipose fin black (Zambezi, Lake Rukwa), rayed fins and adipose fin vermillion red (Côte d'Ivoire and Togo except in Nipoué where species has more brownish fins)(Ref. 2880, 81279).