Body strongly compressed and elongate (depth from 4.5 to 5.4 times in standard length); posterior end of upper jaw reaching middle of eye; upper jaw teeth small and villiform; lower branch of first gill arch with 19 to 22 gill rakers; scales small but visible, needle-shaped, embedded in the skin; back dark gray; belly and flanks silvery or blue gray with yellow highlights; dorsal and anal fins charcoal colored; pelvic fins white; pectoral and caudal fins yellow (Ref. 55763).