Diagnosis: tooth patches broad; pectoral fin placed ventrally; 9-11 anal-fin rays; 19 caudal-fin rays (ii-7-8-ii; rarely i-7-8-ii, total 18); 3-4 gill-rakers on upper part of first arch; dorsum and flank marked by large blotches (up to 5-6 times an eye diameter); caudal saddle and bar pattern well-developed; 20-22 caudal vertebrae (Ref. 44050). 41-43 (Ref. 34006) or 37-39 (Ref. 44050) total vertebrae. Differs from M. minjiriya in having fewer vertebrae and a much narrower head and mouth, and smaller oral tooth bands; differs from M. cavalliensis in having more vertebrae and much smaller tooth bands (Ref. 34006).

Description: body and head depressed; jaws roughly even; 16-17 abdominal vertebrae (Ref. 44050, 57130). 20-22 caudal vertebrae; 19 caudal fin rays (usual arrangement ii-7-8-ii, rarely i-7-8-ii)(Ref. 57130).

Coloration: bicolored; dorsum and flank marked with relatively few spots, some quite large (5-6 times an eye diameter); paired and anal fins unmarked; caudal fin dark with a pale distal margin and a broad pale basal crescent; caudal bar wedge-shaped, with the acute end projecting into bright pale interspace; saddle solid, dark and wide, extending nearly to anal fin base; adipose fin with dark anterior end (an extension of the saddle) and pale posterior half (an extension of the pale interspace); juveniles pigmented as above, with scattered blotches on flank and dorsum, wide and deep saddle, wedge-shaped caudal bar and wide pale crescent at base of caudal fin; paired fins and anal fin unmarked (Ref. 44050).