This species is distinguished by the following characters: body relatively deep and laterally compressed, greatest body depth 2.2-2.4 in SL; dorsal profile of head convex in adults, in oblique straight line in young; maxilla without scales or longitudinal ridges; preopercle with a deep notch (or gash) receiving elongate interopercular spine (none for individuals less than 16 cm SL); gill rakers of first gill arch 26-38 + 60-71 = 89-107; soft rays of dorsal fin usually 14, in anal fin 11, in pectoral fin 17; continuous dorsal fin with spinous portion distinctly notched in young; dorsal and anal fins distinctly pointed posteriorly, the soft ray of both fins, shorter than next to last ray; caudal fin rounded with middle rays elongated in small juveniles, slightly notched at intermediate sizes and emarginate in adults; pelvic fins short and rounded for all sizes; soft dorsal and anal fins with scales basally; tubed lateral-line scales 50-55; juveniles with very long pelvic fins. Colour of adults silvery grey, strongly blotched with blackish patches, lacks yellow on head and body and without blue markings on head and body, much duller iris; juveniles with black and white pattern but broader white area encompassing posterior head and adjacent body and with less than 5 white spots on back (Ref 9821, 90102).