The basic colour of the Jack Dempsey cichlid is grey-brown to red-brown. The sides are a deep brown/black and the body (including fins and head) is covered with bright gold and blue spots. Large black spots can be seen on the sides and caudal base. Two grey-black bars extend forward between the eyes. A black lateral stripe begins on the gill cover and ends in the middle of the body. The dorsal fin is edged with red and the iris is red. Several vertical markings can be seen in adults, however, these tend to disappear or fade with age, as does the bright gold and blue spots on the body. Males have elongated anal and dorsal fins; dorsal fins of females are rounded at the tip.