Diagnosis: dorsal and adipose fin absent; pectoral-fin spine strongly denticulate; 55-70 soft rays in anal fin; 20-21 gill rakers on lower limb of first gill arch (Ref. 43912, 57127).

Description: 7-8 branched pectoral fin rays; 40-42 non-fused vertebrae; 9-11 branchiostegal rays on one side of head; caudal peduncle somewhat deeper than long; head rounded; lower jaw almost reaching as far as snout; pectoral fins rounded; posterior nostrils closer to each other than anterior ones; anal fin often reaching root of caudal fin, latter forked, lower lobe a little longer and more pointed than upper (Ref. 43912). Closely related to congenerics but distinguished by the combined absence of an adipose fin and presence of a coarsely serrated inner side of the pectoral spine (Ref. 43912).

Coloration: silvery, more or less dotted with irregular and star-shaped deep brown chromatophores dorsally and laterally (Ref. 43912). Preserved specimens: body pale and opaque (Ref. 43912). Head, sides (particularly along lateral line and between lateral line and base of anal fin) and especially back, covered with small, brownish-black spots (chromatophores); anal fin and pectorals also slightly spotted; belly and pelvic fins unpigmented (Ref. 43912, 57127).