Diagnosis: dorsal fin with 14-16 spines and 10-13 soft rays; anal fin with 3 spines and 8-9 soft rays; 28-30 scales in lateral line; 8-10 gill rakers on lower limb of first arch (Ref. 81260).

Description: body ovoid and moderately deep; frontal profile straight to slightly rounded (Ref. 52307). Head length 33.7-37.0% SL; lower pharyngeal jaw with curved anterior teeth and tricuspid posterior teeth; ventral keel shorter than dentigerous plate; 3-4 tooth rows in oral jaws, outer row teeth bicuspid (Ref. 81260). Eyes relatively large (Ref. 52307).

Coloration: base body color brown (Ref. 81260) to coppery (Ref. 52307). When breeding (Ref. 52307), males with lower jaw, chest and belly dark brown or black, females with this region whitish; 4-5 vertical bars on flanks; soft dorsal with black "tilapia spot" and sometimes also with clear round maculae; caudal fin often with clear round maculae in upper lobe (Ref. 81260). Anal fin dark to black; pelvics black (Ref. 52307, 81260). Pectoral fins transparent (Ref. 81260).