The body is elongated and robust, lacking compression. Profile of the head is noticeably elevated and the pectoral fins are rigid, incapable of folding flat against the sides of the body. In terms of color, the body is dark blue dorsally and silvery white ventrally. The membrane of the first dorsal fin is blue-black, typically without spots. Other fins are brown-black. There are no markings or dots on the sides of the body. After death, the body takes on a greyish-white color.