This species can be distinguished by the following set of characters: D I,6; A 40-42 (mode 42); P I,12-14 (mode 12); pelvic fin i,6; total vertebrate 47 or 48; GR 13-16 (mode 14) on anterolateral margin of first branchial arch; caudal fin deeply forked, with pointed lobes; reduced and ossified gas bladder; presence of epaxial musculature covering tympanic area; robust, rigid and sharp pectoral spine; upper jaw extending anterior to the lower jaw by a distance less than the horizontal eye diameter. Colouration: body light in color with a dark stripe extending dorsolaterally from origin of dorsal-fin base to caudal-fin base, usually extending to the middle portion of dorsal lobe of caudal fin; dorsal portion behind eyes, frontals and most of the snout is dark; pectoral fin hyaline to completely dark; pelvic fin hyaline or lightly pigmented by scattered melanophores; anal fin hyaline, usually yellowish at base; caudal fin hyaline, generally yellowish at base, sometimes with scattered pigment on base of caudal-fin lobes (Ref. 124585).