This species can be diagnosed from all congeners by a combination of the following characters: slender body with maximum body depth 103-123 % of body depth at nape; ventral half of body and head white with silver shine in life; body pigmentation with prominent black midlateral stripe and up to six small dorsal saddles; all fins hyaline; dark blotch on base of central unbranched caudal-fin rays, with a median incision at its posterior margin; and a distinct red dot on the side of the caudal peduncle in life, fading when preserved; small size with largest known size 2.77 cm SL (Ref. 95079).