The fish has a deep body, with a depth of 1.9–2.4 times the standard length. The tip of the pectoral fin reaches the level of the 1st anal spine. There are 43–46 lateral line scales to the base of the caudal fin, with an additional 2–5 scales on the caudal fin base. Between the lateral line and the 5th dorsal fin spine, there are 4½–5½ scale rows. The caudal fin is deeply forked with pointed lobes. The coloration is silvery, featuring 6–12 vertical bands of pale brown ovoid spots on the upper half of the sides, coalescing as bars in small specimens. The pectoral, pelvic, caudal, and anal fins are dusky hyaline, with white tips on the pelvic, anal, and lower caudal lobe. The dorsal fin is hyaline, except for the end of the filamentous spine, which is black.