A small-sized species with compressed body; The body light grey or brown dorsally in colour, tan or silvery-white ventrally; 4 straight, narrow, dark brown longitudinal stripes on body; juveniles also have 6 or 7 light grey vertical bars. Spinous part of dorsal fin with a blackish blotch dorsally on membranes between 3rd or 4th and 7th or 8th spines; soft part of dorsal fin with a black blotch along top of anterior rays; caudal fin with median rays pigmented; both caudal lobes with dark tips and a transverse band.