Diagnosis: lower pharyngeal jaw robust, with a large, non-heart-shaped dentigerous plate, covered with stout, sparsely arrayed teeth; oral dentition coarse (Ref. 81260). 10-15 (Ref. 26738) stout bicuspids oral teeth in outer row (Ref. 26738, 81260). Anterior rakers not markedly reduced in size; snout small and projecting (Ref. 81260). Lips hypertrophied; ventral margin of lower lip folded and fringed (Ref. 26738, 81260). Breeding coloration: base body color pale yellow on dorsum and bright reddish-pink along venter and snout, cheek, chin, chest and operculum a brighter red(Ref. 26738).
Description: head length 33.3-36.0% SL; lower pharyngeal jaw with curved, weakly tricuspid anterior teeth, tricuspid posterior teeth; ventral keel shorter than dentigerous plate; 2-3 rows of teeth in upper jaw, outer row teeth bicuspid (Ref. 81260).
Coloration: base body color in nonbreeding individuals drab silvery grey, becoming somewhat olive-green dorsally (Ref. 81260). Breeding individuals: pale yellow on dorsum, bright reddish pink along belly; snout, cheek, chin and opercle a brighter red; lower lip white, upper lip dusky grey; dorsal fin pale golden yellow with red flecks in soft dorsal; caudal fin red proximally and in ventral lobe, with smoky grey distal margin and dorsal lobe; anal fin red proximally with smoky grey distal margin; pelvics smoky grey; pectoral fins transparent (Ref. 81260).