Diagnosis: dense black band of coloration in dorsal fin membrane (Ref. 81260).

Description: body depth 34.9-37.6% SL; head length 33.6-37.9% SL; caudal peduncle deeper than long; some dorsal and anal fin rays elongated; caudal rounded in both sexes (Ref. 81260).

Coloration: body (medium to dark) brown (Ref. 52307, 81260), paler ventrally (Ref. 81260). Stressed individuals often with 2 horizontal stripes on flanks; occasionally 4-5 large, bar-like blotches visible on body (Ref. 52307, 81260), but these never extend over entire flank (Ref. 81260). Dorsal fin and upper part of caudal with red margin; females with chrome-colored region on soft dorsal, sometimes upper third of caudal also chrome-colored (Ref. 81260). Broad, black submarginal band in dorsal fin (Red. 52307, 81260). In females black band runs most of fin length, in males it is restricted to a zone between spinous and soft rays (Ref. 81260). Males sometimes with some rows of small maculae on caudal fin (Ref. 52307, 81260) and soft portions of dorsal and anal fin, lacking or very poorly developed in females (Ref. 52307). Juveniles and sometimes adults with a distinct "tilapia spot" on soft dorsal, but in most adults this is obscured by the broad black submarginal band (Ref. 81260). Throat (Ref. 52307), cheek and opercle with bluish/turquoise to green iridescent flush (Ref. 52307, 81260). Lower lips whitish gray (Ref. 81260). Belly of ripe females with rosy coloration (Ref. 52307, 81260), less intense in males (Ref. 52307). Males exhibit dark margins on their scales, while scale margins on females are less intense or absent (Ref. 52307).