Diagnosis: Depth of body contained 3 to 4 times in the standard length; dorsal fin with 7-9 rays, anal fin with 13-15 rays; 24-28 scales in a longitudinal series, 18-20 around the body in front of the pelvic fins (Ref. 4903, 47311).

Description: It is a small, relatively deep-bodied species with strong lateral compression (Ref. 47311). Squamation of 'H'-type (Ref. 47311).

Colouration: Male colouration: pale yellow-gray in basic body colour, with a distinct light blue iridescence on the sides, which is most intense between the upper part of the pectoral fins and the beginning of the dorsal fin; all scales have narrow brown borders; the dorsal and anal fins are pale yellow with brown spots and stripes, most prominent in the posterior parts of the fins; the caudal fin is also yellow with a large number of brown spots, aranged in irregular cross-bars; all unpaired fins have narrow borders which may be black, yellow, orange or red; the colour of the fin margins is variable at the species level and all variations may be found in a single population (Ref. 47311). Female colouration: translucent yellow-gray, with narrow brown borders to the scales on the sides of the body, but lacking the light blue iridescence of the male; all fins colourless (Ref. 47311). Both sexes show a bright light blue reflection in the upper part of the iris (Ref. 47311).