Diagnosis: parietal fontanella absent in adults and porelike in juveniles, disappearing with growth; snout short, comprised over three times in head length; dorsal-fin origin at same level as, or scarcely behing, pelvic-fin insertions; head narrow; adults medium-sized; sexual dimorphism affecting anal-fin shape; no band or spots on sides; caudal fin broadly black-edged; 4.5 scales above lateral line; 22-27 lateral line scales; 11-13 anal fin branched rays; 8/8 premaxillary teeth; 19-20 gill rakers on lower part of first branchial arch (Ref. 2880, 81279).

Description: anal fin with 3 branched and 11-13 unbranched rays; equal jaws; premaxilla in two tooth rows, each with 8 teeth; in larger individuals, two teeth of the anterior row become dislodged, thus forming a second row (Ref. 2880, 81279).

Colouration: humeral spot; black precaudal blotch extending partly unto the median caudal-fin rays; silver body, grey back, pale belly. Gray or uncolored fins, black caudal fin margin (Ref. 2880, 81279).