Diagnostic characters: Body elongate, laterally compressed, almost rectangular in cross-section. Upper and lower jaws greatly elongate and studded with sharp teeth; gill rakers absent. Anterior parts of dorsal and anal fins forming distinct lobes; origin of dorsal fin over seventh to tenth ray of anal fin; dorsal-fin rays 17 to 21; anal-fin rays 23 to 25; pectoral fins not falcate; pectoral-fin rays 10 or 11. Caudal peduncle without lateral keels; caudal fin emarginate, not deeply forked. Predorsal scales (in front of dorsal fin) moderately small, 130 to 180; bases of dorsal and anal fins covered with scales. Colour: top of head and back greenish; a silver stripe along sides widening posteriorly, lower sides and ventral surface white; pelvic fins whitish; pectoral fins with a distal dark spot, tip of fins yellow when fresh; tips of dorsal and anal-fin lobes yellowish, some black pigmentation along middle of fins; caudal fin dark with a yellowish tinge to upper lobe.