The tongue, roof and floor of the mouth are white or cream-colored while the remainder is blue-black. The curved part of the lateral line consists of 61–82 scales. The body and head are dusky to black on the dorsal side, transitioning to dusky or pale grey on the ventral side. Juveniles and occasionally, adults exhibit six dusky or blue-black bars. The caudal fin is pale to dusky with dusky trailing edges.