The preorbital width is about equal to or slightly less than the eye diameter. The vomerine tooth patch is triangular, with a median posterior extension or diamond-shaped. The tongue has a patch of granular teeth, and scale rows on the back rise obliquely above the lateral line. There are 13–18 gill rakers on the 1st gill arch. The coloration includes a brownish back and upper side, while the lower sides and belly are pink to whitish with a silvery sheen. There are seven narrow yellow to brown stripes on the sides, obliquely rising dorsally and posteriorly, which are present on both juveniles and adults.