Diagnosis: 19-23 rakers on lower limb of first arch (Ref. 81260). Length of lower pharyngeal jaw 40-50% of head length (Ref. 81260), width 34.5-38.0 (Ref. 2). Pearly yellow in life, with no markings on body; preserved specimens dark grey on back, with a horizontal darker band in some; decurved snout (Ref. 2).

Description: head length 33.0-36.5% SL; lower pharyngeal jaw with unicuspid anterior teeth and pointed posterior teeth; ventral keel elongate, as long as dentigerous plate; 2-4 rows of teeth in oral jaws, outer row teeth bicuspid (Ref. 81260).

Coloration: base body color yellowish, grey-blue dorsally and whitish ventrally; juveniles with round "tilapia spot", bordered with a pale band; "tilapia spot" disappears at lengths of about 40 mm SL (Ref. 81260). Dark mid-lateral stripe extending from posterior edge of opercle to end of caudal peduncle often visible; fins usually clear, rarely opaque (Ref. 52307).