Body elongate, compressed, and not very deep (depth contained 3.1 times in standard length); mouth small and terminal with fleshy lips; preopercle serrate and possessing a large, stout spine at the angle; dorsal fin deeply notched, with 12 spines and 12 to 13 soft rays (XII, 12-13); second anal spine longer and stronger than bird; back charcoal gray with blue highlights; belly pale; flanks with 7 or 8 narrow, indistinct, dark bars; fins dark greenish yellow (Ref. 55763).