Description: body cylindrical, slightly humped at mid-body (Ref. 5214, 12524), well covered with mucus (Ref. 5214). Body depth equals head length, 4.5 times in standard length; eye diameter 3 times in head length; jaws without teeth, lower jaw with sharp cutting edge; eyes lateral, visible from below and above (Ref. 88972). Head smooth, rounded; mouth ventral, bow-shaped (Ref. 6385, 52193). Dorsal fin with 2-3 unbranched and 7-9 branched rays, anal with 3 unbranched and 6-8 branched rays; pectoral fin with 14-15 rays (Ref. 52193, 88972, 88973). No enlarged scale at base of pelvic fins (Ref. 88972). Dorsal fin situated above pelvic fin base (Ref. 42135, 45616), or pelvic fin base slightly in front of dorsal fin base (Ref. 13721). Dorsal fin placed equidistant between anterior margin of eye and end of scaly process on caudal peduncle (Ref. 6385, 12524). Scales minute (Ref. 6385). Number of lateral line scales very variable (60-100) and population dependent (Ref. 13721, 42135, 45616). Lateral line arched to avoid opercular organ/contact organ (Ref. 52193). Opercular apparatus only in males; males more elongated than females (Ref. 41590).

Colouration: Body yellowish grey (Ref. 88972), mottled with dark blotches (Ref. 13721, 52193) above the thin, dark lateral stripe (Ref. 13721, 52193, 88972) which is located on trunk and caudal peduncle (Ref. 52193). A few small dark blotches on the lateral line towards the caudal peduncle (Ref. 13721). Upper parts of body darker; minute black dots, more or less distinct, at the base of dorsal, anal and pelvic fins; ventral side of head and caudal peduncle whitish (Ref. 88972). Some specimens with dark spot at base of ventral and anal fins (Ref. 13721). Dark spot at base of pelvic and pectoral fins (Ref. 52193).

Description: details on skull osteology, digestive tract, pectoral girdle and structure of epibranchial and opercular organs can be found in Ref. 88973.