Diagnosis: more elongate than Cithardium and Citharinus species; body depth 2.2-2.7x and head length 3-3.7x SL; caudal peduncle 0.7-1.1x long than deep; head 1.6-2.0x long than wide; short snout, 1.0-1.7x of eye diameter; pectoral fins almost half of head length; adipose fin 0.3-0.7x its distance to dorsal fin; caudal fin with symmetrical lobes (tips becoming round in adults); cycloid scales; scale formula 7.5-9.5/50-56/10.5-12.5; 7.5-9.5 scales between lateral line and dorsal fin origin; 16-19 dorsal fin branched rays; 20-23 anal fin branched rays (Ref. 2938, 81281).

Description: eye covered with adipose eyelid (Ref. 2938, 81281).

Coloration: silvery body with black longitudinal lines between scale rows; adipose fin blackish; fins gray-blue; juveniles with anterior part of anal and lower part of caudal red (Ref. 2938, 81281).