Description: Body spindle-shaped and streamlined (Ref. 52193). Head pointed; eyes large; mouth large; lower jaw extending to below orbit (Ref. 52193). Mature males with tubercles on lower jaw, paired fins and on scales behind the pelvic fins (Ref. 52193). Dorsal fin with 2-3 unbranched and 8-9 branched rays; anal fin with 3 unbranched and 11-13 branched rays; dorsal-fin origin behind pelvic fins; anal fin large, elongated in front in males (Ref. 26673, 52193). Scales in lateral line 40-44, usually 14 scales around caudal peduncle; lateral line dips to lower half of body (Ref. 52193).

Colouration: Silvery with 7-9 blue-black bars along sides; black hind edge and corner to dorsal fin (Ref. 52193). Males become flushed with orange-red on head, body and fins in breeding dress (Ref. 52193).