Description: body elongated; snout and caudal fin rounded in both sexes; females smaller than males and possess shorter dorsal, anal and pelvic fin rays; pelvic fins always slightly rounded in females, always pointed in males (Ref. 52307). Hypurals 3 and 4 fused with the urostyle; hypurals 1 and 2 remain autogenous (Ref. 72415).

Coloration: body grayish to brownish in most specimens, although reddish patterns may be present (most often in dorsal and anal fins) in certain populations. Depending on behavioural situation, 2 dark longitudinal stripes may be visible on the body (especially in submissive and non-territorial specimens, but also in breeding ones); these stripes sometimes irregular, forming 2 rows of dark blotches; females with broad silvery to white band in dorsal fin, absent or very thin in males; ripe females with orange belly; in males, entire caudal and soft dorsal and anal fin with pale dots (Ref. 52307).