Diagnosis: 31 vertebrae (Ref. 52346). 3 scale rows between anterior parts of upper and lower lateral line; thin lips and a lower jaw with posterior end lower than tip (forming an angle of 15-20° with the horizontal)(Ref. 7378, 52346, 53405).

Description: juveniles slender-bodied, while adults are very deep-bodied (Ref. 52307, 52346). Thin lips and a lower jaw with posterior end lower than tip (forming an angle of 15°-20° with the horizontal)(Ref. 7378, 52346). Mouth rather small, extending to between nostril and eye; 3 series of scales on cheek (Ref. 1880). Outer and inner jaw teeth monocuspid; posterior pharyngeal teeth molariform (Ref. 53405). Broad crenate gill-rakers along lower limb of first arch and relatively stout epibranchial rakers along upper limb (Ref. 52346). Micro-gillrakers present (Ref. 53405). Scales cycloid (Ref. 1880, 53405). 3 scale rows between anterior parts of upper and lower lateral line (Ref. 7378, 52307). 38-42 lateral line scales (counted from start of upper lateral line, at end descending to lower and continuing to end of lower lateral line, including scales between both lines)(Ref. 52346). Upper lateral line with 28-30 scles, lower lateral line with 32-35 scales (Ref. 1880, 2996). Upper lateral line branch terminates in advance of end of dorsal fin, usually below about 5th ray of free end; terminal canal bearing scales do not usually descend scale rows; dorsal, ventral and median branches extend almost to periphery of caudal fin; dorsal fin spines increase rapidly to 5th-6th and then are more or less equal in length; anal fin rounded (Ref. 52346). Anal fin spines much stronger than dorsal fin spines (Ref. 1880). Pectoral fins long and frequently extend beyond level of soft anal fin; first pelvic branched ray filamentous and produced; caudal fin strongly emarginate and even in largest males only finely scaled (Ref. 52346).

Coloration: silvery to brownish, with dorsal body parts darker than ventral parts; snout, cheeks and opercula silvery; front of head between eyes somewhat darker, with both a light and a dark band (Ref. 52307). Nape stripe might be well marked (Ref. 52346). Pale bluish dots frequently present in dorsal, caudal and anal fins (Ref. 52307). Blackish markings on dorsal fin form a wide network on spinous part and 4 longitudinal streaks on soft part; golden longitudinal lines running between series of scales; pectoral and ventral fins yellow (Ref. 1880, 52346). Young with irregular dark brown cross-bars (Ref. 1880).