Diagnosis: A ‘lampeye’ species of moderate size with relatively long, truncated or rounded unpaired fins; dorsal fin with 8-12 rays, anal fin with 13-17 rays, displacement between dorsal and anal fins 1/5-8; scales on mid-lateral series 25-27 (Ref. 57259).

Colouration: Male colouration: overall body colour is grey to pale olive with a strong light blue iridescence on the sides; the iridescence is especially prominent in the region between the eye and the frontal base of the dorsal fin; the scales on the sides and back have narrow brown to dark grey borders, producing a reticulated appearance; the colour of the unpaired fins is highly variable, depending on the population, and may be yellow, orange or red; some populations display red or brown margins on the unpaired fins; also variable between populations is the presence or absence of spots on the unpaired fins; when present, these are arranged in vague lines in the dorsal and anal fins, and in crescent-shaped bars in the caudal fin (Ref. 57259). Female colouration: translucent grey overall, brown on the back and silver in the abdominal region; the unpaired fins are colourless or pale yellow; the anal fin is relatively long and somewhat pointed (Ref. 57259). Both sexes have a distinct light blue reflecting spot in the upper part of the iris (Ref. 57259).