Body more or less elongate and compressed. Snout projecting, mouth very large, with small teeth; lips absent, except for lower lip near corner of mouth; eyes large (eye diameter 4.5 to 5 times in head length). Pectoral fins in 2 parts, upper part with all rays unbranched, lower with 4 free filamentous rays of which the upper filament is the longest, reaching to pelvic fin base; caudal fin forked with lobes equal.