A moderate-sized species. Body oblong, compressed; Colour of the body dusky dorsally, silvery-white ventrally; 4 dark brown horizontal stripes on body; juveniles also have 6 or 7 vertical bars. Spinous part of dorsal fin with a black blotch on fin membranes between 3rd and 7th spines; soft part of dorsal fin with a dark band along upper portions of anterior rays and a horizontal band on posterior rays; soft part of anal fin with a horizontal black band; each caudal lobe with I transverse stripe, upper lobe with black tip.