Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-18; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 16 - 27. Body fairly elongate, belly keeled, with 11 + 6 or 7 (usually 7) scutes. Teeth minute or absent in jaws; second supra-maxilla at least as long as blade. Last two anal fin rays forming a separate finlet. Resembles C. laciniata which has more gill rakers, but fewer pre-dorsal bones. Species of Clupeichthys also have a separate finlet, but jaw teeth prominent and present on sides of jaw.