Diagnosis: The presence of a supra-pectoral and supra-anal spots, which do not extend to the base of the dorsal fin, plus a precaudal spot and a series of small spots along the base of the dorsal fin places this species in Stigmatochromis (Ref. 87930). It is further diagnosed by the presence of mostly unicuspid teeth in the outer rows of the lower jaws; the short head length, 33.3% of standard length vs. 36.3-39.8%; and the distance between snout and dorsal-fin origin, 34.5% of standard length vs. 34.8-43.2% (Ref. 87930).

Description: Tapered and relatively elongate body with flat ventral outline; lips relatively thick; chin deep (Ref. 55954). Jaws prognathous; teeth on jaws in 3 rows; teeth in outer row unicuspid; 22 teeth in outer row of left lower jaw (Ref. 87930). Scale rows on cheek 4; lateral-line scales 30; 1 pored scale posterior to hypural plates (Ref. 87930). Gill rakers on first ceratobranchial 11, with 4 on epibranchial (Ref. 87930).