This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: ascending process of the premaxilla short and blunt, its height about two times maximum width, shorter than horizontal length of premaxilla, its height about 2/5 of the horizontal length; premaxilla has a single lateral process; posterior upper margin of dentary with a small process; posterior margin of midlateral scales double or triple truncate; pit on midlateral scales rounded, rarely oval; large head, 25-32% SL; midlateral scales 35-38; total vertebrae 37-40; gill rakers on lower arch 20-24; midlateral band is narrow, width about 1/2 to 3/4 that of midlateral scale, its lower margin not reaching to lower margin of midlateral scale at the level of anal-fin origin (width of midlateral band 12-21% of body depth and 33-59% of caudal peduncle depth at the level of anal-fin origin). Colour of head and body greenish gray or whitish dorsally, brilliant silver laterally; dorsal and dorsolateral scale pockets fringed with black (not distinct in some

specimens); a midlateral band silver or glossy indigo blue, the margin of its upper edge is light yellow or light green; there are small black dots ventrolaterally on the body which may be absent; the snout, pectoral-fin base, and posterior margin of caudal fin are blackish; fin membranes are hyaline (Ref. 121273).