Diagnosis: lachrymal plus three tubular infraorbitals; well-developed visor-like hanging pad on pharynx roof (Ref. 50579, 81260). Cheek (Ref. 81260) and chest (Ref. 50579, 81260) fully scaled. 5-6 scales between base of pectoral and pelvic fins (Ref. 81260). Caudal fin normally rounded (Ref. 50579, 52307), upper lobe sometimes with a slight prolongation in male specimens (Ref. 50579).

Description: small, relatively gracile (body depth 26.1-33.0% SL); head length 31.8-36.0% SL; snout 26.3-33.7% HL, relatively pointed; mouth relatively large with somewhat inclined lower jaw; ventral body wall gently rounded to caudal peduncle which is usually longer than deep; upper branch of lateral line high on body and separated from dorsal base at highest point by 1-2 scale rows; last 4-5 pored scales separated from dorsal fin by half (rarely no) scale; 7-8 (rarely 9) tuberculate rakers on lower limb of first arch, 4-5 lanceolate epibranchial rakers; caudal fin rounded in both sexes, upper lobe in males may be slightly produced and elongated; chest scales extremely small and deeply embedded, cheek usually with 2-3 scale rows beneath eye in posterior field (Ref. 81260).

Coloration: body grey or light brown, slightly paler ventrally; normally with black mid-lateral band surrounding forehead, crossing eye and extending to first third of caudal fin; lachrymal stripe usually present; upper edge of eye red or yellow (Ref. 81260). Chest (Ref. 81260) and belly in ripe females rosy (Ref. 52307, 81260), with a whitish area surrounding genital papilla (Ref. 52307). Posterior parts of soft dorsal fin, upper two thirds of caudal and posterior parts of anal fin membranes clear or blueish (Ref. 81260), always with rows of reddish maculae in males (Ref. 52307, 81260), sometimes also in females but then fewer in number and intensity (Ref. 81260). Pelvic fins clear or reddish, with dark anterior edges; coloration more intense in males than females; pectoral fins clear (Ref. 81260). Males with dark-edged body scales (Ref. 52307).