Diagnosis: snout and anal fin short; head length 22.9-31.8% SL; scale formula 5-6/42-45/-; 13-16 scales around caudal peduncle; 1.5-3 scales between anus and anal-fin origin; development lateral line variable with geographical region; pectoral fins not reaching to pelvic-fin bases; dorsal-fin origin distinctly ahead of pelvic-fin insertions; 8-12 anal fin branched rays; 11-14 dorsal fin branched rays; 10-13 pectoral fin branched rays; 8-10 pelvic fin branched rays; back usually uniformly brown (sometimes with cross-bars); dark band covering mid-lateral series of scales, and extending unto central caudal-fin rays (Ref. 2936, 86396).

Description: snout pointed; relatively short and compressed body; upper jaw with 10-14 bicuspid teeth; progressive decrease (from 16 to 13) in number of scales around caudal peduncle from west towards east; lateral line complete or almost complete in Gambia, Guinea Bissau and Sierra Leone (37-45 lateral line scales, 42-45 lateral stripe), but incomplete in Senegal, Niger-Bénoué, Chad, Bandama, Comoe, Volta and Pra (12-44 lateral line scales, 39-45 lateral stripe) (Ref. 2936, 86396).

Coloration: brown lateral stripe from snout to caudal fin base; in juveniles band composed of series small, rounded spots; yellow body, uniformly brown back (sometimes with about ten cross-bars), pink fins; dorsal fin sometimes marked with 2 or 3 transverse stripes (Ref. 2936, 86396).