Body oblong, compressed, and deep (depth contained 2.3 to 2.7 times in standard length); mouth large and terminal, its posterior end located at the same level as the anterior edge of the pupil; first gill arch with 15 to 22 gill rakers; dorsal fin notched, with 11 to 12 spines and 14 to 17 soft rays (XI-XII, 14-17); second anal spine slightly longer and stronger than third; scale series above lateral line oblique; body silvery gray; each scale bearing a dark spot;; the spots appearing to form lines following the scale series; fins charcoal gray (Ref.. 55763).