Diagnosis: head pointed, dorsal profile of forehead somewhat angular (Ref. 55, 57393). Body moderately deep; snout acute; profile of head straight or slightly concave (Ref. 81653). Preorbital/lachrymal bone broad (Ref. 55, 81653). Vomerine tooth patch triangular (occasionally) with a short postero-median extension (Ref. 57393, 81653). Maxilla extending to or beyond level of front part of eye (Ref. 55, 57393, 81653). Preopercular notch and knob weak (Ref. 55, 81653). Pectoral fins long, usually reaching level of anus (Ref. 81653). Scales medium-sized and ctenoid; 8-10 transverse scale rows on cheek (Ref. 57393, 81653). Scale rows on back rising obliquely above lateral line; 6 scale rows above lateral line and below middle of spiny part of dorsal fin (Ref. 55, 57393, 81653). Back and upper sides brown to dark brown shading to silvery white on belly; fins mainly dark brown (Ref. 55, 57393, 81653), especially the pelvics (Ref. 57393). Scales below lateral line frequently with pale centres forming longitudinal stripes (Ref. 81653). Juveniles frequently with 6 to 8 vertical rows of white spots on sides and a pair of blue lines on cheek below eye, specimens below 15 cm often with dusky patch on caudal peduncle (Ref. 55, 57393, 81653), which is an anterior- and posteriorly white-edged greyish spot on dorsal part of caudal peduncle, just behind last dorsal-fin ray (Ref. 57393).