Diagnosis: large species (Ref. 34006, 78218). Tooth patches broad; obliquely angled pectoral fins positioned low on body (Ref. 44050). 17-49 (Ref. 34006) or 44-45 (Ref. 44050) vertebrae. 9-12 anal-fin rays; 19 caudal-fin rays (ii-7-8-ii); eye typically oval (along horizontal axis); caudal saddle and bar pattern poorly developed, even in juveniles; body with relatively small spots and flecks; pectoral and pelvic fin rays unpigmented (Ref. 44050). Broader mouth than M. microstoma, and fewer gill rakers and more vertebrae than either M. microstoma and M. tanganyikaensis; small dark marks rather uniformly distributed over the entire body and caudal fin, with no distinct dark or pale bars or bands, as M. microstoma and M. tanganyikaensis (Ref. 34006).

Description: head and body relatively depressed; lower jaw protruding; eye usually oval (more notable in smaller specimens); 17-20 abdominal vertebrae; 24-28 caudal vertebrae (Ref. 44050).

Coloration: body and head bicolored; dorsum and flank either grey or light brown, venter either tan or off-white; dorsum and flank covered with relatively fine spots, generally as large as an eye diameter or smaller; spots on venter rare; pectoral fins unpigmented; pelvic fins opaque (whitish); caudal saddle and bar pattern poorly developed; faint saddle and bar markings present in juveniles and some young up to 70mm SL, typically only slightly darker than ground color; pale interspace narrow, weakly developed, sometimes even absent, with caudal bar and saddle merged above body mid-depth; caudal fin with pale base and clear distal rim in juveniles and young, and a central portion pigmented in a shade close to dorsum and flank color; caudal and anal fins uniformly pigmented in adults (slightly darker than ground color) with pale distal margins, possibly sparsely marked with small spots in larger specimens (Ref. 44050).