Body bronze above, white on belly and thorax; iris light brown; pectoral fins hyaline, pelvic fins white. Slender and pungent dorsal spines; anal spines stout. Strong scales cover cheeks. Midline of thorax scaled but not pelvic ridges. Broad-based triangular flap of anterior nostril reaching half way to posterior nostril in juveniles, reducing to a small crescent with age.