[1] Cubanichthys cubensis has a cylindrical body which is slightly broader and taller in the anterior portion.

A series of horizontal light blue lines start at the gill covers and extend along the body to the caudal peduncle.

There is a broken dark line which frequently runs from the lower mandible through the middle of the eye, and proceeding to the upper part of the gill cover.

The males are brighter and the blue line sare more obvious, continuing on to the bases of both the dorsal and anal fins.

[5] It was originally described in 1903 as Fundulus cubensis by Carl H. Eigenmann with the type locality being cited as Pinar del Rio, Cuba.