Head with straight profile; mouth terminal, oblique, moderately large; maxillary extending to below the anterior border of the orbit (Ref. 47363). Ventral fin reaching the vent; the pectoral fin reaching beyond the origin of anal fin; caudal fin truncate, more or less oblique in some cases; the last dorsal soft fin ray extending to the dorsal origin of caudal fin (Ref. 47363). Caudal peduncle as long as deep or a little deeper than long; ventral outline straight or slightly rounded (Ref. 47363). Scales not denticulate; two lateral lines present; the majority of scales of the dorsal one pored (Ref.47363).

General body colour pale grey-silver, darker below the dorsal fin and on the dorsal side of the head; belly being usually white; 8 black vertical bars on the body, the first one partly developed; a black dorsal opercular spot present (Ref. 47363). Dorsal fin with oblique black striations on their posterior soft rays, no tilapia mark on the dorsal fin; caudal fin dark red without vertical stripes; a black pyramid present, its base at the caudal fin base, its top extending to fin margin; anal fin reddish with a black anterior base (Ref. 47363). Eye with black iris, with a red circle around the pupil (Ref. 47363).