A solitary dorsal fin stretching from just behind the eye to nearly the caudal fin, comprises 52–59 soft rays. Pectoral fins are approximately half the length of the head. The caudal fin is deeply forked. In terms of color, the back exhibits a vibrant metallic blue-green hue during life which fades quickly to a greenish tint after death. The sides are silvery with a golden sheen and adorned with numerous black spots. The dorsal fin appears dark. Juveniles feature a white border along the entire margin of the caudal fin and the pelvic fins lack pigmentation.