Body oblong, compressed and not very deep (depth contained 2.9 to 3.3 times in standard length ); mouth large and terminal, its posterior end located under the anterior rim of the eye; first gill arch with 18 to 22 gill rakers; dorsal fin notched, with 11 to 12 spines and 16 to 18 soft rays (XI-XII, 16-18); second anal spine slightly longer and stronger than third; scale series above lateral line oblique; juveniles with 3 vertical bars and a caudal spot that disappears with age; adults with 6 or 7 dark gray vertical bars on a yellowish body; head with a dark spot behind the eye (Ref. 55763).