Diagnosis: differs from C. crassa and C. louna by having 1 complete scale row and 1 additional scale row with smaller dorso-ventrally compressed scales between upper lateral line and base of last dorsal spine (vs. 2 complete scale rows and 1 additional row of very small scales in-between); differs from C. crassa by a shallower body with only a minimal overlap, 32.2-40.5% SL vs. 40.4-48.4%; and from C. louna by a shorter last dorsal spine, 9.4-12.2% SL vs. 12.9-15.0%; all scales cycloid; 26-27 scales on horizontal line; 17-22 upper lateral line scales; 8-11 lower lateral line scales (Ref. 92878).

Description: moderately deep-bodied with a pointed snout, a slightly convex frontal profile and a truncate to slightly rounded caudal fin (Ref. 52307).

Coloration: background colour light olive-green to yellowish, chest and belly light yellow to whitish with small reddish dots; lower half of head yellowish olive, especially on cheek, and upper half of head olive-green; upper lip bluish and lower lip whitish; a horizontal iridescent blue line above anterorostral margin of preopercle; iris dark brown; apparently depending on motivational state, body with 6-7 black backward slanted, unbranched (not Y-shaped) bars and a nape band or 2 black stripes along lateral line; yellow line between these 2 lines; black thin lachrymal stripe extending from lachrymal to jaw angle; black opercular spot, extended into a sloping stripe; pectoral fin light greenish to hyaline with a yellow base, pelvic fin and anal fin greenish yellow; dorsal fin greenish, yellow edged, no clear 'tilapia spot', except for juveniles; caudal fin greenish yellow (Ref. 92878).