A glassfish, predominantly dusky grey and translucent on the dorsal and posterior parts with a silvery lower portion. It features a black membrane surrounding the second dorsal-fin spine and between the second and third dorsal-fin spines. The scales on the back have black edges and there are black lines along the bases of the dorsal and anal fins as well as along the posterior lateral line in larger specimens. The dorsal-fin has VII/I, 9 rays, while the anal-fin has III, 10 rays. The ventral fin has I, 5 rays and the lateral line bears 12-14 + 10-16 scales. The preorbital ridge has 3 serrae, the preorbital edge has 6 serrae, the preopercle ridge has 9 serrae, and the lower edge of the preopercle has 19 serrae. A rostral spine is present and the lower corner of the interopercle is smooth.