Diagnosis: scales on cheek in 2-3 rows; caudal scales variable, not on the inter-radial membranes except at the base; never stiffening the fin; genital papilla large and tuberculate or scalloped, tasseled in breeding males; generally lighter or darker olive-green; breeding male iridescent dark green to blue-black on head, body and vertical fins; red edge to dorsal and caudal fins (Ref. 2).

Description: body deep with a deep caudal peduncle; snout short; frontal profile rounded; sexual dimorphism well-developed; males possess better developed finnage and their pelvic fins are notable for having very long rays that can reach or overlap the origin of the anal fin (Ref. 52307).

Coloration: body color light to dark gray; body scales with a shiny center in most cases; generally speaking, the entire fish is very light in color; head greenish to bluish; entire head, cheeks and opercles with many black dots or worm-like lines; unpaired fins with red margins; dorsal and caudal fin (and rarely anal fin) with a number of pale dots; ripe and courting males can appear nearly black, but the silvery centers of their body scales remain visible (Ref. 52307).