This species is distinguished by having the following characters: body oval, greatly compressed and with moderately deep caudal peduncle; moderate-sized and weakly attached scales covering the body and extended over the head; lateral line gradually curved, following contour of back, extending onto caudal fin with several scales; small mouth but greatly protractile; numerous villiform teeth on jaws; dorsal fin spines elevated anteriorly, notched over remaining spines, followed by longer, sub-equal rays; anal fin short-based, similar to and opposite posterior part of the dorsal fin; caudal fin deeply forked; pectoral fins pointed with long upper rays, reaching the anal fin. Colour of adults shiny with dark-tipped dorsal fin; juveniles olive above with some indistinct dark blotching (Ref. 9002).