Diagnosis: 8-9 anal fin spines and 7-10 soft rays; flanks with 2 horizontal stripes extending from operculum to caudal fin base; eye diameter 3.6 or more times into head length (Ref. 57414).

Description: a shallow-bodied, elongated species very similar in form and meristics to the Central African M. nanum; 11-15 scales in upper lateral line; 5-8 scales in lower lateral line; 2-3 scales above upper lateral line; 7-8 scales below; operculum and suboperculum lightly serrated; interoperculum and preoperculum unserrated (Ref. 57414).

Coloration: well- preserved specimens with 2 distinct horizontal stripes passing from just posterior of operculum to caudal fin base; spotting or mottling may be present above or below these bars; caudal spot has been observed on some juvenile specimens (25 mm SL); pelvic fins well pigmented; no observations on living specimens (Ref. 57414).