The fish is characterized by the lower margin of the eye being tangent to or above a line from the tip of the snout to the upper base of the pectoral fin. It possesses small canine teeth anteriorly in the upper jaw, with pectoral fins reaching to or just behind the anus, and pelvic fins reaching to or just beyond the level of the anal fin origin. There is no filament on the caudal fin. In terms of coloration, the upper part of the body is pinkish, shading to silvery on the ventral surface, and the snout has 2 indistinct bluish or mauve stripes. The dorsal fin is pale pink with a reddish margin and a yellow submarginal stripe, which may be lacking in larger specimens. The caudal fin is yellowish pink.