Description: Body robust (Ref. 52193). Head large, covered with scales; mouth dorsal, lower jaw projecting beyond upper jaw (Ref. 52193). Dorsal fin with 15-16 rays; anal fin with 14-17 rays; dorsal fin far bac, opposite the anal fin and generally equal in size; caudal fin large and rounded or semi-truncate (Ref. 52193). Scales in lateral series 27-32 (Ref. 52193).

Colouration: Females plain fleshy brown with slight silvery or bluish inflections on scales and cheeks; fins clear (Ref. 52193). Red and blue colour forms are recognised in males, but are probably different expressions of a variable colour pattern; red spots on the head are diagnostic for the species; the red form has scales with yellow or blue centres and bright red edges, red caudal, pectoral and pelvic fins and red streaks to basal portion of dorsal and anal fins; distal half of dorsal and anal fins green with maroon spots, fin edge brilliant white; in the blue form the red colour is far less accentuated and blue-centred scales are predominant, fins clear green with small red bars and spots, caudal fin practically clear (Ref. 52193).