Characterised by a superior lip edge slightly nothched in between the three notches which are not very marked; a black line in between the middle of the eye and the grin; tiny scales on the anterior part of the body and the nape; 66 to 70 lateral scale rows; a black oval spot at the base of the caudal rays and at the tip of the caudal fin in male.

Head rounded; snout profile clearly convex; maxilla reaching or almost reaching the anterior edge of the eye. Superior lip with a median notch and a lateral one on each side at the nostril level; edge of the lip very finely notched. Two close dorsal fins, the third spine of the first dorsal is elongated, especially in males; pelvic fins joint in one oval disc, free from the abdomen, at the back of the pelvic plate (Ref. 12767).