Diagnosis: A small elongated species with a terminal mouth (Ref. 118638). Mature males have dark-edged dorsal and anal fins, iridescent blue-white spots on flanks, white lower lips, and a spotted caudal fin with a pink edge; they appear to be colour polymorphic, with some males having yellow bellies and throats, while others are blue white: both morphs can be found in the same location and the colours are stable in aquarium-held specimens, suggesting it is a true polymorphism and not related to reproductive state (Ref. 118638). Females and non-territorial males are sandy-coloured, pale ventrally, sometimes with faint vertical bars (Ref. 118638).

Description: Mature females with an overall golden hue; males with the flanks a pale blue and the lateral parts of the lower lip swollen and brilliant; in full color the blue spots on the scales become iridescent (Ref. 2). The genital papilla is conical, prominent and yellow in the mature male, less prominent, but swollen in the mature female (Ref. 2). Scale rows on cheeks 3-4 (Ref. 2). Preorbital bone with only 4 pores and no scales (Ref.4967).