Diagnosis: lower pharyngeal bone about as long as broad, and with anterior lamella shorter than toothed area; median pharyngeal teeth not broadened; upper profile of head strongly convex; dorsal fin with 14-16 spines and 12-15 soft rays; flanks and belly whitish; head, back and flanks with irregular black spots; no bifurcated dark vertical bars on flanks; dorsal and anal without orange-red upper margin; caudal greyish to blackish (Ref. 53405).

Description: outer jaw teeth bicuspid and non-spatulate, inner jaw teeth and posterior pharyngeal teeth tricuspid; micro-gillrakers present; scales cycloid (Ref. 53405). Caudal fin truncate to moderately forked (Ref. 52307).

Coloration: ground colour whitish on sides and belly, yellowish-green on back; entire body, and in particular head, back and sides covered with irregular black spots; few bluish-green spots on occiput; belly sometimes blackish, with some red pigment; dorsal fin greyish-black, with some light oblique lines between spines, upper margin blackish and tip white-edged in large adults; "tilapian" spot has not been observed; pectoral fins transparent, pelvics and anal fin whitish to black; caudal fin greyish to black, sometimes spotted in central area, upper angle with a narrow edge in large adults (Lake Bosumtwi) (Ref. 53405). Black pattern unique to this species and not seen in congeners; when breeding, black pattern on body becomes more intense and breast turns bright red (Ref. 52307).