Diagnosis: Body fairly deep and compressed, belly with distinct keel of scutes; top of head with numerous fronto-parietal striae; upper jaw with median notch; gillrakers about 100 to 175, those on inner arches distinctly curled; outer row of gill filaments on first arch not more than half length of gillrakers; a series of small triangular scales above axil of pectoral fin; hind part of body scales perforated (Ref. 188). A black spot behind gill cover, usually followed by up to 10 spots along flank (Ref. 188).

Description: Body fusiform, fairly deep and compressed; belly with a distinct keel of scutes (Ref. 3107). Top of head with numerous, 8-14, fronto-parietal striae; upper jaw with a distinct median notch; 2 supramaxillae present (Ref. 188, 3107, 3259, 30573). Gillrakers very fine and numerous, 75-175 on lower limb of first gill arch, those on inner arches curled; number increasing with growth (Ref. 3107, 3259). Dorsal fin origin a little before mid-point of body; anal fin short and well behind dorsal fin base; dorsal fin with 3-4 unbranched and 13-15 branched rays, anal fin with 2-4 unbranched and 15-19 branched rays, pectoral fin with 1 unbranched and 12-15 branched rays, pelvic fin with 1 unbranched and 7 branched rays (Ref. 3107, 3259). Scales on longitudinal series 39-44; posterior part of scales with perforations (Ref. 3107, 3259). Sharp keeled scutes present along belly; with 15-17 pre-pelvic scutes and 12-14 post-pelvic scutes (Ref. 28, 3259).

Colouration: Back blue-green, flanks silvery with a black spot behind gill opening and up to 10 similar spots along flanks, or high up near dorsal profile (Ref. 188, 3107, 3259, 12484).