This species is distinguished by the following characters: juveniles and adults with body oval and compressed, slender, fusiform, greatest body depth 2.4-3 in SL; anterior nostril with a long flap reaching to or past posterior nostril; last dorsal-fin spine very short, 2.6-3.5 times in longest dorsal-fin spine; last anal-fin spine shortest, 2.1-3.1 times in longest (second or third) anal-fin spine; caudal fin deeply forked. Colour of body blue or greyish above, silvery below; variations in markings (spots, curved lines); head and trunk usually covered with small yellow spots, bars, and commas, much larger than interspaces and quarter to 1/2 size of pupil; spots usually joining to form horizontal wavy lines, particularly on lower sides; yellow pectoral-fin axil, usually yellow stripes along base of dorsal fin and a dark brown bar immediately posterior to the upper opercular margin; colours fade rapidly at death so that head and trunk may be solid brown (Ref. 9813, 90102).