Diagnosis: body elongate (depth comprised 2.4-3.1 times in fork length) and strongly compressed; eyes small; snout short and rounded; mouth small; end of upper jaw extending to below anterior eye margin; teeth present in jaws, absent on vomer; 1st dorsal fin with 7 spines, 2nd dorsal with 1 spine and 24-28 soft rays; anal fin with 2 detached spines, followed by 1 spine and 21-24 soft rays; scales small and cycloid; breast completely scaleless; lateral line arched over anterior half of pectoral fins, its posterior (straight) part with 41-43 scutes; caudal peduncle very slender, without bilateral keels above and below last lateral line scutes (Ref. 57392).

Coloration: back bluish, sides silvery; black spot on upper margin of gill cover; dorsal- and upper caudal-fin lobes broadly black-edged, other fins light; juveniles with 4-5 dark crossbars on back and sides (Ref. 57392).