Lower limb of preopercle scaly. Antrorse (forward-directed) suborbital spine absent. Pelvic fins long, reaching to or beyond level of anus. Larger specimens with upper and lower lobes falcate. Presence of indistinct bluish stripe between eyes and a narrow white stripe from middle of upper lip to below eye. Juveniles with dusky brown stripe on either side of dorsal midline, and dusky brown midlateral stripe, yellowish above anteriorly. Axillary scale present. Color: Body silvery-white. Top of head and snout dusky grey. An indistinct bluish stripe between eyes. A narrow white stripe from middle of upper lip to below eye.