Description: relatively deep-bodied; head short (shorter than in T. callichromus); frontal profile steep, straight to slightly rounded; caudal fin slightly rounded to subtruncate (Ref. 52307).

Coloration: body brownish in both sexes, females paler; belly more whitish; several rows of dark dots or maculae in dorsal and caudal fins of both sexes; dark bar from eye to corner of mouth, slightly posterior a second short vertical bar on opercle; bars much more intense in courting males; adult males bright red on lower parts of cheeks, opercles and flanks, and sometimes on parts of the belly as well; bluish coloration occasionally present on lower body parts, posterior of red coloration; front of head can become totally black in courting or aggressive males, upper lips then turn yellow; a single orange egg spot (rarely more) present on anal fin (Ref. 52307).