Adults have a silver elongate body and truncate tail. Juvenile tails are highly lanceolate. Terminal mouth with a slight underbite and 2 fang-like teeth in upper jaw. First dorsal fin spiny and triangular in shape and second dorsal fin more rectangular and elongate. Lateral line extends onto tail fin. Back may appear silver-blue/green, fades to silver/white near belly. Juveniles have same underbite, fang-like teeth, and dark uneven horizontal banding.