Diagnosis: Body rather deep, its depth about 34-41% of standard length, belly with 17-20 + 9-13 scutes, total 28-32 scutes; anterior arm of pre-operculum with the third infra-orbital bone immediately above it, no fleshy gap between; mouth inferior, lower jaw strongly flared outward; last dorsal finray filamentous; pectoral axillary scale present; hind edge of scales distinctly toothed; a dark spot behind gill opening (Ref. 188). Resembles Nematalosa galatheae, which has spots along the flank and a smooth hind edge to scales; Nematalosa arabica, N. come and N. japonica all have a distinct fleshy triangular area above the anterior arm of the pre-operculum and none have toothed scale edges; no other clupeid in the distribution area of Nematalosa nasus has a filamentous dorsal finray (Ref. 188).

Description: Body rather deep, its depth about 34-41% of standard length (Ref. 188). Lower jaw flared outward (Ref. 3259). Gill rakers very numerous, the number increasing with growth (Ref. 3259). Dorsal fin with 3-5 unbranched and 12-14 branched rays, anal fin with 2-3 unbranched and 19-22 branched rays, pectoral fin with 1 unbranched and 12-16 branched rays, pelvic fin with 1 unbranched and 7 branched rays (Ref. 3259). Scales on lateral line 46-49; hind edge of scales toothed in adults (Ref. 3259). With 17-20 pre-pelvic scutes and 9-13 post-pelvic scutes (Ref. 188, 3259).

Colouration: Body and head dark bluish dorsally, silvery below; a dark spot behind gill opening (Ref. 188, 3259).