Generally brown dorsally. Background coloration of body and tail grayish, slightly lighter at the snout, with beige to brown pattern elements. Dorsal and lateral surfaces of body and tail show a conspicuous pattern of intense dark brown and gold pigmentation. Dorsal surface of head and trunk covered by shiny gold pigmentation extending laterally to below the eye. Two diffuse bands of dark brown melanocytes present dorsolaterally. A distinct, broad V-shaped dark band extends between the anterior margins of the eyes and the medial point of the upper lip. Lips light beige, with lateral tips golden. Venter grayish and semitransparent with scattered melanocytes, possibly increasing toward the end of larval development; scattered iridocytes present, particularly in the abdominal region. Tail darkly pigmented with melanocytes; myosepta somewhat accentuated by melanocyte density. Melanocyte pigmentation extends onto the tail fins, especially posteriorly, whereas the anterior part of the lower tail fin is only lightly pigmented. Gold iridocyte blotches from the dorsum extend onto the upper tail fin, particularly along the anterior third, which is marbled with golden beige and dark flecks. Lateral tail vein faintly visible.