This high-bodied species is distinguished by the following characters: ratio of standard length to body depth between 2.39 and 2.45; bumpy forehead; the lower edge of eye well above axis of body; caudal fin is shallowly forked, the lobes convex on inner side; scale rows above lateral line 6; pored scales on lateral line 47-50; flanks silvery; scales above the lateral line possess a dark-grey basal patch forming longitudinal rows; scales in the three rows below lateral line in middle of flank also forming darker rows, but basal patch not as dark as above lateral line; snout an cheeks with blue speckles against bronze background, distinctive on fresh and larger individuals, but faint on smaller individuals; blue band joining the nostrils on forehead; the area immediately above eye (supraorbital shelf) forming a distinctive brownish to blackish eyebrow; more or less conspicuous vertical dark bar crossing the eye; dorsal, pectoral, anal and caudal fins are reddish to bright vermilion red; upper lip is reddish to red while the lower lip white (Ref. 107926).