Diagnosis: body oblong and compressed; snout pointed, shorter than eye diameter; mouth strongly protrusible; nostrils contiguous, situated at midpoint between eye and snout tip; dorsal fin deeply notched; pectoral fins long, reaching to, or extending beyond anal-fin origin; large cycloid scales; scales of the interocular space not reaching anterior border of eyes; spinous part of dorsal fin greyish, without a black spot at tip (Ref. 57394).

Coloration: back olivaceous-brown, sides silvery, with longitudinal dark bands; young individuals with narrow, dark vertical bars on sides; spinous part of dorsal fin distally greyish, but without a distinct black spot at tip; juveniles with 2 longitudinal series of dark spots on dorsal fin (Ref. 57394).