Diagnosis: snout blunt; jaws weakly protrusible (ascending process of premaxilla short, not reaching anterior border of orbit); labyrinth composed of a more complex, folded plate; adults larger than 75 mm SL; body depth into SL usually fewer than 3 times; spot at base of caudal fin without pale ring in adults; lachrymal never serrated; flanks without faint mottling; scales in lower vertical series 10-11 (rarely 9); 5 scales from last pored scale in upper lateral line to dorsal-fin base (counting pored scale)(Ref. 57414).

Description: 13-17 pored scales in upper lateral line; 9-14 pored scales in lower lateral line (Ref. 57414, 93191). Interorbit 2.4-3.0 times into head length; 12-21 scales on right operculum (Ref. 93191). 3-5 scales above upper lateral line; 8-10 scales below upper lateral line (Ref. 57414, 93191). Operculum and suboperculum well serrated; interoperculum and preoperculum sometimes serrated (Ref. 57414).

Coloration: body, head and unpaired fins medium to light grey or brown, with belly usually lighter; dark caudal spot (ocellated in juveniles) well developed; pectoral and pelvic fins unpigmented; body in juvenile specimens (25 mm SL) chocolate brown with some tan mottling and a narrow, pale bar at level of dorsal-fin origin; Loiselle (1971) reported that living animals from Togo were olive-coloured with red irises (Ref. 57414).