The body is moderately elongated and strongly laterally compressed. The predorsal contour is straight or slightly curved, sloping at the same angle as the slightly curved prepelvic contour, or it is steeper. The jaws are approximately equal in length anteriorly, with the lower jaw slightly projecting beyond the upper jaw. The maxilla extends just slightly posterior to a vertical line through the anterior margin of the orbit. The articulation of the lower jaw is located below the middle of the orbit. There are well-developed tooth patches on the parasphenoid, basibranchial 3, basihyal, palatine, and vomer. The scales in the lateral row number 27 or 28.