Diagnosis: This species is distinguished by the following characters: robust body; usually with 16 pectoral-fin rays; 25-29 longitudinal scales; 16 circumpeduncular scales; weakly ctenoid scales; adults with longer snout than eye diameter, shorter in juvenile; poorly developed adipose eyelid, forming narrow rim around eye; weak notch on anteroventral edge of preorbital; truncate caudal fin; colour olive-brown dorsally, flanks and belly silvery to whitish; about 6 brownish stripes on flank formed by longitudinal marks on scales; fins yellowish white with dusky margins except caudal fin yellow and pectoral black dorsally and yellow ventrally (completely black in young); no axillary scale visible in the pectoral fins (Ref. 9812, 90102).

Description: Head broad and flat; adipose eyelids vestigial (Ref. 4393). Adults without teeth; juveniles have scattered fine ciliate teeth on upper lip, very few on lower lip; tongue dentate (Ref. 4393). First dorsal fin with 4 spines, second dorsal fin with 1 spine and 8 soft rays; anal fin with 3 spines and 8 soft rays; pectoral fin with 16 rays; pectoral fin bent forward reaches front of eye; second dorsal and anal fin scaly (Ref. 4393). Scales on lateral line 26-28; scaly process at first dorsal-fin base 6-8 times in predorsal distance; no pectoral axillary scale visible; scales large, ctenoid, each with a short mucous canal; preorbital notched, denticulate, rear margin broadly rounded (Ref. 4393).

Colouration: Light olive above, silvery on sides, dirty yellowish below; dusky streaks along upper scale rows; most fins dusky, pectoral fin black in young, lower margin yellow in adults; iris with yellow reflections; a dusky fish with a truncate tail (Ref. 4393).