Diagnosis: mouth subterminal; barbels absent; lateral line incomplete with 4-6 perforated scales; 21-25 scales in lateral line; 10-12 circumpeduncular scales; 2.5-3 scales between lateral line and pelvic fin insertion; gill rakers present along lower limb of first gill arch; dorsal fin with straight posterior margin; last simple ray of dorsal fin forming unserrated spine (Ref. 27690, 81639).

Description: small-sized, dorsal profile convex (Ref. 81639). Scales with divergent striae; lateral line incomplete: with 4-6 perforated scales; 21-25 scales in lateral line; 3.5-4 scales between lateral line and dorsal fin origin; 4.5-5.5 scales between lateral line and mid-belly; D:III,8; A:III,5; P:14-15; V:7-8; dorsal fin with straight border; last simple ray ossified, not serrated (Ref. 27690, 81639).

Coloration: ground color silvery white, with a faint dark mid-lateral band (Ref. 27690, 81639) from above pored scales to base of caudal fin (Ref. 27690). Upper part of back olive yellow; black spot behind opercle; ventrally thin black line from anal fin to caudal fin base; dorsal, pectoral and caudal fins with red tint; specimens from turbid waters generally darker (Ref. 27690, 81639).