The body is elongated, sub-cylindrical in the anterior region, and compressed posteriorly. It features a large tapering head that is obtusely convex. The mouth is slightly oblique, with thick lips, and the maxilla extends to below the anterior margin of the eye. The opercle and pre-opercle have a few cycloid scales and are often naked. There are 53-54 ctenoid scales in the median lateral series, with 15-16 rows between the origins of the second dorsal and anal fins. Scales on the belly are cycloid. The body color is yellowish-grey above and white below. The first dorsal fin has 4-5 longitudinal lines of spots, and the second dorsal fin has 7-8. The caudal fin is rounded with vertical streaks formed by spots. The pectoral fin is as long as the caudal fin.