| Main Ref. | Turner, G.F., 2024 |
| Appearance refers to | |
| Bones in OsteoBase |
| Specialized organs | |
| Different appearance | |
| Different colors | |
| Remarks |
| Striking features | |
| Body shape lateral (shape guide) | fusiform / normal |
| Cross section | compressed |
| Dorsal head profile | |
| Type of eyes | |
| Type of mouth/snout | |
| Position of mouth | |
| Type of scales | |
| Diagnosis |
This species is distinguished by the following characters: lower jaw dentition is “Placidochromis-type,” with the outer series extending in a relatively straight line toward the posterior end of the jaw; dorsal body with a strong oblique stripe; differs from its congeners except M. anaphyrmus, M. mola, M. sphaerodon strongly molarized pharyngeal dentition; snout 33.4%-37.4% HL; body 39.1%-40.2% SL; head profile less steep 40° and an upwardly angled gape 40° (Ref. 137496). |
| Ease of Identification |
| Lateral Lines | Interrupted: No |
| Scales on lateral line | |
| Pored lateral line scales | |
| Scales in lateral series | |
| Scale rows above lateral line | |
| Scale rows below lateral line | |
| Scales around caudal peduncle | |
| Barbels | |
| Gill clefts (sharks/rays only) | |
| Gill rakers | |
| on lower limb | 10 - 11 |
| on upper limb | 4 - 5 |
| total | 14 - 15 |
| Vertebrae | |
| preanal | |
| total |
| Attributes | |
| Fins number | 1 |
| Finlets No. | Dorsal |
| Ventral | |
| Spines total | 16 - 17 |
| Soft-rays total | 10 - 11 |
| Adipose fin |
| Attributes |
| Fins number | 1 |
| Spines total | |
| Soft-rays total | 9 - 9 |
| Pectoral | Attributes |
| Spines | |
| Soft-rays | |
| Pelvics | Attributes |
| Position | |
| Spines | |
| Soft-rays |