The fish has a moderately elongated and compressed body, with its depth measuring 2.4 to 3 times in standard length. The dorsal and ventral profiles are about equally convex, and there is no distinct notch on the nape. The mouth points downward when protracted. The dorsal-fin spines are slender, with the second spine about half the body depth. The second anal-fin spine is slender and approximately the same length as the pectoral fins. The head is scaleless, and the anterior part of the breast below the head is also scaleless, while conspicuous scales are present elsewhere on the breast. The body is silvery, with a greenish to brownish back featuring relatively sparse, irregular, grey vermiculations that extend down to a little below the lateral line, forming blotches in a row. The snout and the underside of the pectoral-fin base are dotted black. The dorsal, pectoral, and pelvic fins are colorless, except for some yellow on the spinous parts and along the margins of the dorsal and anal fins. The margin of the caudal fin is yellow.