The body is elongate, and the head is moderately depressed. There are 2–3 preopercular spines, with the uppermost being the longest but not reaching the opercular margin; an accessory spine is present in most individuals. Lateral line scales have 2 exterior openings, and the iris lappet is crenate. There is no interopercular flap, and teeth on the vomer are in 2 separate patches. The 1st gill arch has a total of 6 gill rakers. In terms of color, the body is greenish above and whitish below, with 4 or 5 dark bands crossing the back and a series of small dark blotches along the lower side. The spinous dorsal fin exhibits a broad submarginal dark band.