Diagnosis: Juveniles have an uninterrupted dark band along middle of side, young and adults are uniquely distinguished among species of Cichla by the color pattern with lateral band transformed to row of irregular dark blotches and six or seven narrow dark vertical bars across side below dorsal fin (corresponding in position to bars 1, 1a, 2, 2a, 3, additional bar below end of soft dorsal in base, and occasionally one anteriorly on caudal peduncle). The adults with several small black blotches posterior to the orbit and on gill cover. All sizes with no light spots on the side (vs. present in most other species of Cichla). Lateral line almost always continuous; scales in E1 row 96-108 (Ref. 57716).