This species is distinguished by the following: a slender species with ratio of standard length to body depth between 2.65-3.06; forehead bumpy and lower edge of eye well above axis of body; moderately forked caudal fin with lobes slightly rounded; scales rows above lateral line 6; pored

scales on lateral line 48-49; colour of flanks silvery; scales above lateral line with a dark-grey basal patch forming longitudinal rows; scales with similar dark-grey basal patch on a more or less

extended portion of flank below lateral line; up to 24 or more pale-blue speckles against bronze background on snout and cheeks, distinctive on fresh and larger individuals but faint on smaller individuals; a pale-blue band joining the nostrils on forehead and reaching the eyes, bright in freshly captured larger individuals; the area immediately above eye (supraorbital shelf) forming a distinctive blackish eyebrow; more or less conspicuous vertical dark bar crossing the eye; upper lip is reddish to red while lower lip is white; the dorsal, pectoral, anal and caudal fins reddish to red (Ref. 107926).