Diagnosis: 122-140 (generally 125-132) scales in lateral line (Ref. 57401). Sides marked with about 20 dark, largely backwards open chevrons (Ref. 57401), which become less distinct in large specimens (Ref. 5491).

Description: body elongate, slightly compressed; head large with a long and pointed snout; interorbital space flat or concave; hind edge of opercular bone with two spines; mouth large, lower jaw prominent without any skin appendage; hind end of premaxillary reaching or nearly reaching anterior border of eye; teeth strong, pointed, close to one another; teeth of lower jaw straight, never turned backwards; teeth on roof of mouth; 1st dorsal fin begins clearly behind the insertion level of ventral fins; longest rays of 2nd dorsal and anal fins, when folded back, reach the extremity of the last rays; distal edge of pectoral fin stands behind insertion level of ventral fin (Ref. 57401).

Coloration: back and upper part of flanks bluish or greenish grey, lower part of flanks and belly silver white; sides marked with about 20 dark chevrons, largely open backwards; very distinct in medium-sized individuals, these chevrons remain obvious in maximal sizes; 2nd dorsal fin and caudal fin uniformly dark, without a white edge; anal fin dark with a distal rim clearer (Ref. 57401).