This species is distinguished by the following characters: Dorsal rays XII-XIII, 11-12, usually XIII, 12; anal rays II, 12; pectoral rays 17-18, usually 18; spiniform caudal rays 3; tubed lateral-line scales 13-15, rarely 16; gill rakers 6-8 + 18-21 (total 26-28, rarely 25); body depth 1.65-1.9 in SL. The color when fresh is pale slate blue (bright pale green in life) with a white spot (sometimes two white spots) roughly the size of a scale mid-laterally on the body; malachite green area above orbit and in inter-orbital space and nape; the dorsal and anal fins with bright distal border of pale turquoise blue (Ref. 59379).