Body is elongated, strongly compressed; belly rounded anteriorly, with a sharp keel of scutes. Mouth superior, lower jaw projecting. Dorsal fin small, far back on body; pectoral fins with 12 to 14 rays, their tips reaching to level of scutes 27 to 30 (counted from throat); no pelvic fins; anal fin long. Colour is back blue/green or grey, flanks silvery. toothed