Description: Head and body elongated, with thick smooth skin, scales minute and embedded (Ref. 52193). Dorsal fin origin well in advance of anal fin origin, both joined with caudal (Ref. 4967, 52193). Mouth large, lips thick, teeth fine, forming narrow bands on jaws and palate; gill slits small, restricted to sides in front of pectoral fins (Ref. 52193).

Colouration: Olive to greyish black dorsally, lighter ventrally (Ref. 3971, 52193). On maturity prior to entering the sea the colour changes to dark bronze above and light yellow or silvery below (Ref. 52193).