Diagnosis: 20-27 rakers on lower limb of first arch; length of lower pharyngeal jaw < 43.5% of head length; 29-32 scales in lateral line series; toothed area of lower pharyngeal jaw broad > 2-3 times in keel length (Ref. 81260). Upper profile of snout straight or slightly arched (Ref. 53405). Head length 32.5-39.0% SL (Ref. 53405, 81260). 27-30 total dorsal-fin rays (average 28-29); body depth 43.0-56.5% SL (usually over 45%); length of pectoral fins 36.0-50.0% SL; interorbital space 36.0-44.0% HL (Ref. 53405). Caudal fin naked except at base; melanin patches only in occasional individuals, not populations; reproductive individuals greyish dorsally, silvery ventrally; margin of dorsal and caudal fins pinkish; pectoral usually extending to above vent or spinous anal fin; males with longer soft dorsal and anal fin-rays (Ref. 2).

Description: 4-8 rows of teeth in oral jaws (Ref. 81260), outer row teeth bicuspid (Ref. 53405, 81260), inner jaw teeth tricuspid, posterior teeth on pharyngeal jaw bicuspid (Ref. 53405). Pharyngeal teeth numerous and very small (Ref. 53408, 81260). Ventral keel elongate, longer than dentigerous plate (Ref. 81260). Micro-gillrakers present; scales cycloid (Ref. 53405).

Coloration: in life: Adults: sides and fins light silvery-grey; belly white (Ref. 53405, 81260). Young individuals: silvery, with some narrow black cross bars on sides; fins greyish, upper margin of dorsal fin rosy red-edged (Ref. 53405, 81260).