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: relatively deep-bodied species with a short snout and thickened lips (especially old males) (Ref. 52307). 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. 52307, 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 (Ref. 52307, 81260). Caudal fin red proximally and in ventral lobe, with smoky grey distal margin and dorsal lobe (Ref. 81260). Anal fin red proximally with smoky grey distal margin; pelvics smoky grey (Ref. 52307, 81260). Pectoral fins transparent (Ref. 81260).